SOC 39-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Animal Caretakers — Scranton
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Animal Caretakers in Scranton, PA is $31,190 per year, 11.8% below the national median of $35,360.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Animal Caretakers in Scranton, PA is $31,190 per year, 11.8% below the national median of $35,360. Half of workers earn between $28,010 and $34,430. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $23,280 and the ninetieth at $45,750.
Employment stands at 250, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $34,970. Of the 449 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 422nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,280 | −34.2% |
| 25th | $28,010 | −20.8% |
| Median (50th) | $31,190 | −11.8% |
| 75th | $34,430 | −2.6% |
| 90th | $45,750 | +29.4% |
| Mean | $32,500 | −8.1% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $34,970 | 5,480 | |
| 2 | Gettysburg | $32,750 | 70 | |
| 3 | Williamsport | $32,720 | 60 | |
| 4 | Lancaster | $32,400 | 430 | |
| 5 | Allentown | $32,220 | 700 | |
| 6 | Lebanon | $32,150 | 60 | |
| 7 | Reading | $31,320 | 290 | |
| 8 | Pittsburgh | $30,860 | 2,160 | |
| 9 | Harrisburg | $30,770 | 510 | |
| 10 | Erie | $29,780 | 210 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Scranton run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $31,190 goes as far as $31,957 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$31,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,957US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $31,190 a year, 11.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,280 to $45,750 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 250 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $34,970.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Animal Caretakers in Scranton, PA?
The median annual wage is $31,190, or $15.00 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 Scranton, PA is 11.8% 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 Scranton, PA earns more than $45,750 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,280 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 Philadelphia, at $34,970 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 250 jobs in this occupation in Scranton, PA. 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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