Salary guide
Animal Caretaker Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What animal caretakers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median animal caretaker salary in the U.S. is $35,360 per year, or $17.00 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $27,250, while the top 10% earned more than $50,060.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Animal Caretaker pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,250 | $13.10 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $29,820 | $14.34 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $35,360 | $17.00 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $40,050 | $19.25 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $50,060 | $24.07 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $29,820 | $35,360 | $40,050 |
| Per month | $2,485 | $2,947 | $3,338 |
| Every two weeks | $1,147 | $1,360 | $1,540 |
| Per week | $573 | $680 | $770 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects animal caretaker pay
- Seasonal versus year-round employment
- Licenses and certifications (pesticide applicator, ISA arborist, credentialed vet tech)
- Equipment skills and CDL endorsements
- Supervisory responsibility and business ownership
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as an animal caretaker
- Get credentialed: National Dog Groomers Association certification, Fear Free certification, Pet CPR and first aid.
- Build specialty experience: Specialize.
- Move up: roles such as facility manager and business owner typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Animal Caretaker pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of animal caretakers to change by +12.1% from 2025–35, much faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 62,800 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 39-2021 (“Animal caretakers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Animal Caretaker salary FAQ
How much does an animal caretaker make per hour?
The median hourly wage for animal caretakers was $17.00 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $13.10 and the top 10% earned about $24.07 or more.
How much does an animal caretaker make a month?
At the median annual wage of $35,360, that works out to about $2,947 per month before taxes, or about $1,360 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for an animal caretaker?
New animal caretakers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $27,250 and the 25th percentile was $29,820 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can animal caretakers earn more?
Common ways include earning National Dog Groomers Association certification and Fear Free certification, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as facility manager.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 39-2021 (Animal caretakers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Animal caretakers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.