SOC 39-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Animal Caretakers — Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown, KY · 5 metro areas compared
In Elizabethtown, KY the median wage is $29,730.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Elizabethtown, KY the median wage is $29,730. That is 15.9% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay ranges from under $22,760 at the tenth percentile to more than $46,720 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $27,920 to $38,130.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.32 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Lexington records the highest median at $34,590. Of the 212 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 194th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,760 | −35.6% |
| 25th | $27,920 | −21.0% |
| Median (50th) | $29,730 | −15.9% |
| 75th | $38,130 | +7.8% |
| 90th | $46,720 | +32.1% |
| Mean | $33,810 | −4.4% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $34,590 | 2,400 | |
| 2 | Paducah | $31,200 | 60 | |
| 3 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $30,830 | 1,640 | |
| 4 | Bowling Green | $29,510 | 160 | |
| 5 | Owensboro | $29,070 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Elizabethtown run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $29,730 goes as far as $32,960 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,730as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,960US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,730 a year, 15.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,760 to $46,720 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lexington, at $34,590.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Animal Caretakers in Elizabethtown, KY?
The median annual wage is $29,730, or $14.30 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 Elizabethtown, KY is 15.9% 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 Elizabethtown, KY earns more than $46,720 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,760 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 Lexington, at $34,590 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Elizabethtown, KY. 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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