SOC 39-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Animal Caretakers — Northwest Virginia
Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 9 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northwest Virginia, VA is $29,600 a year, trailing the national median of $35,360 by 16.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northwest Virginia, VA is $29,600 a year, trailing the national median of $35,360 by 16.3%. Half of workers earn between $28,100 and $36,130. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,630 and the ninetieth at $45,530.
The area has 180 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.8 of every thousand jobs. Charlottesville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $35,190. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 252nd of 260 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,630 | −21.9% |
| 25th | $28,100 | −20.5% |
| Median (50th) | $29,600 | −16.3% |
| 75th | $36,130 | +2.2% |
| 90th | $45,530 | +28.8% |
| Mean | $33,620 | −4.9% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | $35,190 | 370 | |
| 2 | Richmond | $33,710 | 1,540 | |
| 3 | Harrisonburg | $31,980 | 140 | |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | $30,870 | 1,990 | |
| 5 | Winchester | $30,470 | 100 | |
| 6 | Roanoke | $30,060 | 350 | |
| 7 | Staunton | $28,940 | 120 | |
| 8 | Lynchburg | $28,800 | 220 | |
| 9 | Blacksburg | $28,160 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Virginia sit close to the national average, so $29,600 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$29,600as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,278US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,600 a year, 16.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,630 to $45,530 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlottesville, at $35,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Animal Caretakers in Northwest Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $29,600, or $14.23 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 Northwest Virginia, VA is 16.3% 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 Northwest Virginia, VA earns more than $45,530 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,630 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 Charlottesville, at $35,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 180 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Virginia, VA. 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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