SOC 39-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Animal Caretakers — Montana
Montana · 4 metro areas compared
At $34,210, median pay for Animal Caretakers in Montana tracks the national median of $35,360 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $34,210, median pay for Animal Caretakers in Montana tracks the national median of $35,360 closely. Pay ranges from under $26,170 at the tenth percentile to more than $49,080 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $29,600 to $39,130.
The area has 1,200 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.37 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Montana ranks number 22nd out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Bozeman records the highest median at $37,580. Of the 604 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 575th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,170 | −26.0% |
| 25th | $29,600 | −16.3% |
| Median (50th) | $34,210 | −3.3% |
| 75th | $39,130 | +10.7% |
| 90th | $49,080 | +38.8% |
| Mean | $36,170 | +2.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $37,580 | 190 | |
| 2 | Billings | $34,890 | 220 | |
| 3 | Missoula | $33,760 | 150 | |
| 4 | Great Falls | $31,910 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $34,210 goes as far as $36,163 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,210as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,163US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,210 a year, 3.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,170 to $49,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,200 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 22nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bozeman, at $37,580.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Animal Caretakers in Montana?
The median annual wage is $34,210, or $16.45 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 Montana is 3.3% 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 Montana earns more than $49,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,170 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 Bozeman, at $37,580 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,200 jobs in this occupation in Montana. 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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