Animal caretakers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Mean (average) | $37,300 | $17.94 |
| 90th percentile | $50,060 | $24.07 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Animal caretakers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 53 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,330 | $21,740 | $45,860 | 4,100 | 1.13 |
| Alaska | $36,640 | $27,030 | $58,400 | 550 | 0.99 |
| Arizona | $38,180 | $33,320 | $68,090 | 6,330 | 1.14 |
| Arkansas | $30,230 | $27,290 | $47,990 | 2,040 | 0.91 |
| California | $38,700 | $35,640 | $56,270 | 25,710 | 0.82 |
| Colorado | $37,430 | $32,070 | $55,300 | 6,290 | 1.27 |
| Connecticut | $37,310 | $35,150 | $62,540 | 3,000 | 1.03 |
| Delaware | $33,910 | $31,200 | $42,500 | 1,230 | 1.48 |
| District of Columbia | $44,210 | $37,840 | $64,300 | 460 | 0.38 |
| Florida | $34,150 | $28,950 | $50,140 | 17,210 | 1.01 |
| Georgia | $29,860 | $21,370 | $47,260 | 9,110 | 1.09 |
| Hawaii | $40,130 | $31,100 | $66,200 | 570 | 0.53 |
| Idaho | $32,170 | $22,000 | $46,990 | 1,760 | 1.2 |
| Illinois | $35,570 | $31,200 | $50,160 | 11,070 | 1.06 |
| Indiana | $29,990 | $22,440 | $43,270 | 6,420 | 1.17 |
| Iowa | $30,080 | $22,450 | $45,610 | 3,480 | 1.3 |
| Kansas | $29,830 | $21,720 | $49,450 | 3,000 | 1.22 |
| Kentucky | $30,720 | $22,600 | $47,290 | 6,140 | 1.79 |
| Louisiana | $27,910 | $21,600 | $40,000 | 2,660 | 0.8 |
| Maine | $37,230 | $31,360 | $48,530 | 1,430 | 1.3 |
| Maryland | $36,780 | $31,500 | $56,730 | 5,570 | 1.17 |
| Massachusetts | $39,650 | $32,910 | $64,060 | 6,900 | 1.11 |
| Michigan | $30,320 | $27,770 | $45,480 | 6,290 | 0.83 |
| Minnesota | $36,430 | $29,440 | $48,050 | 4,250 | 0.84 |
| Mississippi | $26,970 | $21,160 | $36,970 | 1,900 | 0.95 |
| Missouri | $31,230 | $28,600 | $44,930 | 5,820 | 1.15 |
| Montana | $34,210 | $26,170 | $49,080 | 1,200 | 1.37 |
| Nebraska | $31,680 | $28,080 | $52,010 | 2,100 | 1.19 |
| Nevada | $30,320 | $27,280 | $51,040 | 2,470 | 0.93 |
| New Hampshire | $34,790 | $27,830 | $51,040 | 1,810 | 1.54 |
| New Jersey | $35,850 | $32,220 | $49,620 | 5,890 | 0.8 |
| New Mexico | $33,570 | $27,980 | $44,020 | 1,710 | 1.14 |
| New York | $37,840 | $33,800 | $48,740 | 12,470 | 0.75 |
| North Carolina | $30,870 | $23,210 | $46,120 | 9,730 | 1.15 |
| North Dakota | $34,040 | $29,960 | $62,170 | 770 | 1.05 |
| Ohio | $30,310 | $24,130 | $49,450 | 9,350 | 0.98 |
| Oklahoma | $28,940 | $21,320 | $43,880 | 3,170 | 1.08 |
| Oregon | $36,580 | $33,510 | $54,510 | 3,470 | 1.03 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,360 | $23,430 | $47,960 | 9,910 | 0.95 |
| Puerto Rico | $27,600 | $21,840 | $31,200 | 520 | 0.32 |
| Rhode Island | $37,120 | $31,510 | $63,120 | 1,020 | 1.19 |
| South Carolina | $31,280 | $22,880 | $46,160 | 4,090 | 1.03 |
| South Dakota | $30,390 | $27,260 | $44,960 | 1,110 | 1.42 |
| Tennessee | $30,550 | $23,980 | $47,020 | 6,110 | 1.08 |
| Texas | $32,730 | $23,260 | $49,660 | 20,450 | 0.85 |
| Utah | $34,750 | $26,310 | $56,730 | 2,350 | 0.79 |
| Vermont | $36,090 | $31,990 | $47,360 | 430 | 0.83 |
| Virgin Islands | $35,570 | $25,340 | $46,280 | 50 | 0.92 |
| Virginia | $34,380 | $28,050 | $46,180 | 10,070 | 1.43 |
| Washington | $40,570 | $36,100 | $64,580 | 6,620 | 1.09 |
| West Virginia | $28,550 | $22,050 | $44,810 | 1,160 | 0.96 |
| Wisconsin | $30,160 | $23,920 | $47,700 | 5,720 | 1.13 |
| Wyoming | $29,080 | $21,330 | $50,290 | 460 | 0.95 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for animal caretakers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 62,800. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 24.8%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for animal caretakers
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming CIP 01.0504
- Farrier Science CIP 01.0509
- Anthrozoology CIP 30.3401
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
- Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
- Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
- Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
- Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
- Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
- Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
- Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- CEEJS The Pet Groomer's Secretary
- DaySmart Software 123Pet
- DaySmart Software Appointment-Plus
- Envision Pet Grooming
- Groom Pro
- Groomsoft
- K9 Bytes K9 Koordinator
- Kennel Link
- Mobile Dog Grooming Software mGroomer
- Petschedule
Transferable skills for career changers: Coordination, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management.
Common job titles: Animal Care Giver (ACG), Aquarist, Dog Bather, Dog Groomer, Groomer, Kennel Attendant, Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech), Pet Groomer, Pet Stylist, Zookeeper.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do animal caretakers make?
The national median annual wage for animal caretakers was $35,360 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $27,250 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $50,060. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do animal caretakers need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is animal caretakers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of animal caretakers to change +12.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 62,800 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay animal caretakers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were District of Columbia ($44,210), Washington ($40,570), Hawaii ($40,130). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.