SOC 39-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Animal Caretakers — Blacksburg
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Blacksburg, VA is $28,160 a year, trailing the national median of $35,360 by 20.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Blacksburg, VA is $28,160 a year, trailing the national median of $35,360 by 20.4%. Half of workers earn between $27,860 and $34,260. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,040 and the ninetieth at $44,330.
The area has 160 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.30 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Charlottesville records the highest median at $35,190. Of the 257 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 256th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,040 | −23.5% |
| 25th | $27,860 | −21.2% |
| Median (50th) | $28,160 | −20.4% |
| 75th | $34,260 | −3.1% |
| 90th | $44,330 | +25.4% |
| Mean | $32,520 | −8.0% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | $35,190 | 370 | |
| 2 | Richmond | $33,710 | 1,540 | |
| 3 | Harrisonburg | $31,980 | 140 | |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | $30,870 | 1,990 | |
| 5 | Winchester | $30,470 | 100 | |
| 6 | Roanoke | $30,060 | 350 | |
| 7 | Staunton | $28,940 | 120 | |
| 8 | Lynchburg | $28,800 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Blacksburg sit close to the national average, so $28,160 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$28,160as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$27,854US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,160 a year, 20.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,040 to $44,330 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 160 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlottesville, at $35,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Animal Caretakers in Blacksburg, VA?
The median annual wage is $28,160, or $13.54 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,360, so pay in Blacksburg, VA is 20.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Blacksburg, VA earns more than $44,330 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,040 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Charlottesville, at $35,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 160 jobs in this occupation in Blacksburg, VA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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