SOC 39-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Animal Caretakers — Iowa City
Iowa City, IA · 7 metro areas compared
At $33,510, median pay for Animal Caretakers in Iowa City, IA tracks the national median of $35,360 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $33,510, median pay for Animal Caretakers in Iowa City, IA tracks the national median of $35,360 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $30,140 and $38,260. The lowest tenth earn under $27,240, while the highest tenth earn more than $46,900.
Employment stands at 300, or 3.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ames records the highest median at $38,700. Of the 296 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 274th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,240 | −23.0% |
| 25th | $30,140 | −14.8% |
| Median (50th) | $33,510 | −5.2% |
| 75th | $38,260 | +8.2% |
| 90th | $46,900 | +32.6% |
| Mean | $36,350 | +2.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $38,700 | 190 | |
| 2 | Davenport | $31,200 | 290 | |
| 3 | Des Moines | $30,950 | 920 | |
| 4 | Sioux City | $29,880 | 130 | |
| 5 | Waterloo | $29,870 | 470 | |
| 6 | Dubuque | $29,420 | 80 | |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $29,190 | 340 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $33,510 goes as far as $38,166 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$33,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,166US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $33,510 a year, 5.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,240 to $46,900 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 300 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ames, at $38,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Animal Caretakers in Iowa City, IA?
The median annual wage is $33,510, or $16.11 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 Iowa City, IA is 5.2% 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 Iowa City, IA earns more than $46,900 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,240 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 Ames, at $38,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 300 jobs in this occupation in Iowa City, IA. 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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