SOC 39-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Animal Caretakers — Northeastern South Carolina
Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northeastern South Carolina, SC is $29,630 a year, trailing the national median of $35,360 by 16.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northeastern South Carolina, SC is $29,630 a year, trailing the national median of $35,360 by 16.2%. Half of workers earn between $27,470 and $34,910. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,360 and the ninetieth at $36,740.
The area has 110 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.87 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Hilton Head Island leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $35,080. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 235th of 268 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,360 | −36.8% |
| 25th | $27,470 | −22.3% |
| Median (50th) | $29,630 | −16.2% |
| 75th | $34,910 | −1.3% |
| 90th | $36,740 | +3.9% |
| Mean | $30,880 | −12.7% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hilton Head Island | $35,080 | 220 | |
| 2 | Charleston | $35,000 | 730 | |
| 3 | Spartanburg | $34,530 | 170 | |
| 4 | Greenville | $31,010 | 730 | |
| 5 | Columbia | $30,720 | 880 | |
| 6 | Myrtle Beach | $30,630 | 360 | |
| 7 | Florence | $29,210 | 70 | |
| 8 | Sumter | $27,180 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeastern South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $29,630 goes as far as $31,622 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,630as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,622US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,630 a year, 16.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,360 to $36,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Hilton Head Island, at $35,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Animal Caretakers in Northeastern South Carolina, SC?
The median annual wage is $29,630, or $14.25 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 Northeastern South Carolina, SC is 16.2% 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 Northeastern South Carolina, SC earns more than $36,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,360 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 Hilton Head Island, at $35,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 110 jobs in this occupation in Northeastern South Carolina, SC. 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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