SOC 39-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Animal Caretakers — Cleveland
Cleveland, OH · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Animal Caretakers in Cleveland, OH is $30,220 per year, 14.5% below the national median of $35,360.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Animal Caretakers in Cleveland, OH is $30,220 per year, 14.5% below the national median of $35,360. Half of workers earn between $29,050 and $36,870. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $24,090 and the ninetieth at $48,560.
Employment stands at 1,690, or 1.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Akron records the highest median at $31,190. Of the 616 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 596th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,090 | −31.9% |
| 25th | $29,050 | −17.8% |
| Median (50th) | $30,220 | −14.5% |
| 75th | $36,870 | +4.3% |
| 90th | $48,560 | +37.3% |
| Mean | $34,490 | −2.5% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akron | $31,190 | 520 | |
| 2 | Columbus | $30,920 | 2,100 | |
| 3 | Toledo | $30,870 | 590 | |
| 4 | Cincinnati | $30,540 | 2,320 | |
| 5 | Springfield | $29,890 | 110 | |
| 6 | Youngstown | $29,490 | 260 | |
| 7 | Mansfield | $29,450 | 50 | |
| 8 | Dayton | $29,400 | 530 | |
| 9 | Sandusky | $28,970 | 70 | |
| 10 | Lima | $28,630 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Cleveland run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $30,220 goes as far as $32,565 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,220as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,565US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,220 a year, 14.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,090 to $48,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,690 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Akron, at $31,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Animal Caretakers in Cleveland, OH?
The median annual wage is $30,220, or $14.53 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 Cleveland, OH is 14.5% 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 Cleveland, OH earns more than $48,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,090 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 Akron, at $31,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,690 jobs in this occupation in Cleveland, OH. 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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