385 metro areas
Animal Caretaker Salary by City (2026)
Animal caretakers earn the most in San Jose, CA, an average of $47,920 a year, against $37,300 nationally. After local prices, pay goes furthest in Minot, ND ($51,120 in national-average dollars). Every metro area with its own BLS estimate is ranked below.
- US average (mean)
- $37,300BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Highest-paying city
- $47,920San Jose, CA
- Best after cost of living
- $51,120Minot, ND
- Metro areas
- 385With their own estimate
Top cities
Highest-paying cities for animal caretakers
Top 10 metro areas
- San Jose, CA$47,920
- Seattle, WA$47,820
- San Francisco, CA$46,970
- Phoenix, AZ$46,050
- Barnstable Town, MA$45,910
- Bremerton, WA$45,760
- Kahului, HI$45,660
- Yuba City, CA$45,320
- Kennewick, WA$45,260
- Boston, MA-NH$45,240
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $47,920 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $47,820 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,970 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $46,050 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $45,910 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $45,760 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $45,660 |
| Yuba City, CA | $45,320 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $45,260 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $45,240 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Mean wage ÷ BEA price level
- Minot, ND$44,490 nominal$51,120
- Barnstable Town, MA$45,910 nominal$46,680
- Grand Forks, ND-MN$39,250 nominal$45,290
- Rochester, MN$41,120 nominal$45,280
- Kennewick, WA$45,260 nominal$45,220
- Ames, IA$39,810 nominal$44,820
- Phoenix, AZ$46,050 nominal$44,570
- Sierra Vista, AZ$39,560 nominal$44,330
- Longview, WA$43,140 nominal$44,230
- Bismarck, ND$40,120 nominal$44,080
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Minot, ND | $51,120 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $46,680 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $45,290 |
| Rochester, MN | $45,280 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $45,220 |
| Ames, IA | $44,820 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $44,570 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $44,330 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $44,230 |
| Bismarck, ND | $44,080 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 · BEA RPP 2024
Every city
Animal Caretaker salary in every metro area
Mean annual wage, with the Department of Labor's entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) prevailing-wage benchmarks for the same metro, and the mean at national-average prices. Sorted by mean pay.
| # | Metro area | Mean | Entry (Level I) | Experienced (Level IV) | At US prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $47,920 | $40,460 | $51,600 | $43,400 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $47,820 | $37,500 | $52,890 | $43,030 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $46,970 | $39,710 | $50,520 | $40,630 |
| 4 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,050 | $35,010 | $51,480 | $44,570 |
| 5 | Barnstable Town, MA | $45,910 | $36,050 | $50,770 | $46,680 |
| 6 | Bremerton, WA | $45,760 | $36,820 | $50,170 | $43,330 |
| 7 | Kahului, HI | $45,660 | $34,650 | $51,060 | $41,740 |
| 8 | Yuba City, CA | $45,320 | $35,550 | $50,150 | $43,480 |
| 9 | Kennewick, WA | $45,260 | $36,130 | $49,770 | $45,220 |
| 10 | Boston, MA-NH | $45,240 | $33,880 | $50,840 | $41,790 |
| 11 | Vallejo, CA | $45,140 | $36,860 | $49,210 | $41,610 |
| 12 | Napa, CA | $44,720 | $37,170 | $48,440 | $39,730 |
| 13 | Minot, ND | $44,490 | $29,220 | $52,000 | $51,120 |
| 14 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $44,390 | $31,620 | $50,670 | $40,010 |
| 15 | Olympia, WA | $44,370 | $35,840 | $48,570 | $42,800 |
| 16 | Bridgeport, CT | $44,050 | $36,730 | $47,670 | $41,220 |
| 17 | Amherst Town, MA | $43,830 | $34,510 | $48,420 | $43,720 |
| 18 | Mount Vernon, WA | $43,660 | $37,320 | $46,800 | $42,620 |
| 19 | Spokane, WA | $43,560 | $35,420 | $47,550 | $43,410 |
| 20 | Salinas, CA | $43,490 | $36,300 | $47,030 | $39,880 |
| 21 | Bellingham, WA | $43,390 | $36,150 | $46,950 | $41,990 |
| 22 | Santa Cruz, CA | $43,370 | $36,650 | $46,680 | $39,460 |
| 23 | Longview, WA | $43,140 | $35,090 | $47,110 | $44,230 |
| 24 | San Diego, CA | $42,970 | $36,300 | $46,260 | $38,400 |
| 25 | Waterbury, CT | $42,760 | $34,900 | $46,630 | $42,860 |
| 26 | New Haven, CT | $42,740 | $35,610 | $46,260 | $40,880 |
| 27 | Norwich, CT | $42,720 | $34,760 | $46,650 | $42,530 |
| 28 | Medford, OR | $42,410 | $32,360 | $47,360 | $41,810 |
| 29 | Burlington, VT | $42,390 | $34,920 | $46,070 | $41,990 |
| 30 | Portland, OR-WA | $42,370 | $35,760 | $45,640 | $40,190 |
| 31 | Santa Rosa, CA | $42,370 | $36,440 | $45,280 | $39,310 |
| 32 | Boulder, CO | $42,350 | $35,550 | $45,700 | $40,260 |
| 33 | San Luis Obispo, CA | $42,350 | $35,760 | $45,590 | $39,000 |
| 34 | Fairbanks, AK | $42,330 | $31,220 | $47,820 | $41,010 |
| 35 | Santa Maria, CA | $42,310 | $35,840 | $45,490 | $38,890 |
| 36 | Flagstaff, AZ | $42,290 | $36,130 | $45,300 | $42,150 |
| 37 | Worcester, MA | $42,160 | $34,490 | $45,950 | $41,120 |
| 38 | Modesto, CA | $42,120 | $36,090 | $45,090 | $40,460 |
| 39 | Tucson, AZ | $41,970 | $33,030 | $46,380 | $43,310 |
| 40 | Pittsfield, MA | $41,830 | $33,160 | $46,090 | $43,980 |
| 41 | Sacramento, CA | $41,830 | $36,170 | $44,620 | $39,210 |
| 42 | Portland, ME | $41,750 | $35,420 | $44,870 | $40,990 |
| 43 | Providence, RI-MA | $41,750 | $32,860 | $46,110 | $41,020 |
| 44 | Los Angeles, CA | $41,700 | $36,110 | $44,470 | $36,720 |
| 45 | El Centro, CA | $41,680 | $34,920 | $45,030 | $43,790 |
| 46 | Denver, CO | $41,660 | $35,170 | $44,870 | $39,380 |
| 47 | Wenatchee, WA | $41,660 | $35,800 | $44,550 | $40,110 |
| 48 | Hartford, CT | $41,620 | $35,400 | $44,700 | $40,510 |
| 49 | New York, NY-NJ | $41,480 | $34,920 | $44,720 | $36,850 |
| 50 | Springfield, MA | $41,230 | $33,470 | $45,050 | $42,920 |
| 51 | Prescott Valley, AZ | $41,160 | $32,840 | $45,260 | $41,890 |
| 52 | Rochester, MN | $41,120 | $30,740 | $46,240 | $45,280 |
| 53 | Oxnard, CA | $41,020 | $35,610 | $43,680 | $37,110 |
| 54 | Yakima, WA | $41,000 | $34,650 | $44,140 | $42,910 |
| 55 | Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $40,910 | $32,240 | $45,180 | $37,570 |
| 56 | Baltimore, MD | $40,830 | $32,550 | $44,910 | $39,080 |
| 57 | Fresno, CA | $40,710 | $35,010 | $43,510 | $39,850 |
| 58 | Atlantic City, NJ | $40,660 | $32,740 | $44,570 | $41,130 |
| 59 | Stockton, CA | $40,520 | $35,420 | $43,010 | $38,560 |
| 60 | Bozeman, MT | $40,440 | $30,740 | $45,220 | $39,450 |
| 61 | Riverside, CA | $40,440 | $35,340 | $42,950 | $37,990 |
| 62 | Yuma, AZ | $40,410 | $30,660 | $45,220 | $43,590 |
| 63 | Redding, CA | $40,390 | $34,720 | $43,180 | $40,120 |
| 64 | Salem, OR | $40,350 | $33,780 | $43,580 | $38,930 |
| 65 | Colorado Springs, CO | $40,210 | $32,030 | $44,240 | $39,930 |
| 66 | Hanford, CA | $40,210 | $35,360 | $42,600 | $39,570 |
| 67 | Merced, CA | $40,190 | $34,900 | $42,790 | $40,900 |
| 68 | Bismarck, ND | $40,120 | $29,310 | $45,470 | $44,080 |
| 69 | Chico, CA | $40,120 | $34,820 | $42,740 | $39,650 |
| 70 | Bend, OR | $40,100 | $33,860 | $43,180 | $38,700 |
| 71 | Kiryas Joel, NY | $39,870 | $34,070 | $42,720 | $36,440 |
| 72 | Ames, IA | $39,810 | $27,870 | $45,700 | $44,820 |
| 73 | Chicago, IL-IN | $39,730 | $32,280 | $43,390 | $38,350 |
| 74 | Anchorage, AK | $39,620 | $29,790 | $44,490 | $37,580 |
| 75 | Fort Collins, CO | $39,580 | $32,550 | $43,040 | $39,140 |
| 76 | Sierra Vista, AZ | $39,560 | $31,600 | $43,490 | $44,330 |
| 77 | Lexington Park, MD | $39,440 | $31,660 | $43,260 | $39,140 |
| 78 | Omaha, NE-IA | $39,400 | $28,850 | $44,570 | $42,870 |
| 79 | Minneapolis, MN-WI | $39,330 | $31,910 | $42,990 | $37,520 |
| 80 | Visalia, CA | $39,310 | $34,820 | $41,540 | $39,380 |
| 81 | Greeley, CO | $39,290 | $32,360 | $42,700 | $39,220 |
| 82 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $39,250 | $29,270 | $44,160 | $45,290 |
| 83 | Pueblo, CO | $39,100 | $31,470 | $42,890 | $42,610 |
| 84 | Miami, FL | $39,060 | $29,680 | $43,700 | $34,220 |
| 85 | Trenton, NJ | $39,060 | $32,760 | $42,160 | $37,860 |
| 86 | Bakersfield, CA | $38,960 | $34,650 | $41,080 | $38,620 |
| 87 | Albany, OR | $38,500 | $32,640 | $41,390 | $37,710 |
| 88 | Kingston, NY | $38,270 | $33,530 | $40,600 | $38,000 |
| 89 | Ithaca, NY | $38,210 | $34,510 | $40,040 | $36,980 |
| 90 | Albany, NY | $38,080 | $32,860 | $40,660 | $38,250 |
| 91 | Santa Fe, NM | $38,080 | $32,660 | $40,750 | $38,560 |
| 92 | Corvallis, OR | $38,060 | $32,390 | $40,850 | $36,590 |
| 93 | Syracuse, NY | $38,040 | $33,360 | $40,350 | $39,730 |
| 94 | Dallas, TX | $37,840 | $27,040 | $43,160 | $36,710 |
| 95 | Grants Pass, OR | $37,840 | $32,820 | $40,290 | $38,710 |
| 96 | Odessa, TX | $37,840 | $26,170 | $43,580 | $40,300 |
| 97 | Glens Falls, NY | $37,710 | $32,860 | $40,100 | $39,750 |
| 98 | Vineland, NJ | $37,690 | $32,470 | $40,250 | $39,270 |
| 99 | Austin, TX | $37,670 | $27,440 | $42,700 | $38,410 |
| 100 | Fargo, ND-MN | $37,610 | $28,850 | $41,930 | $41,390 |
| 101 | Salisbury, MD | $37,590 | $31,220 | $40,710 | $39,310 |
| 102 | Bangor, ME | $37,540 | $32,340 | $40,100 | $38,900 |
| 103 | Buffalo, NY | $37,420 | $33,110 | $39,560 | $39,040 |
| 104 | Hagerstown, MD-WV | $37,360 | $30,140 | $40,890 | $39,670 |
| 105 | Utica, NY | $37,360 | $32,720 | $39,620 | $40,310 |
| 106 | Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,340 | $28,930 | $41,480 | $36,410 |
| 107 | Madison, WI | $37,250 | $26,890 | $42,370 | $38,290 |
| 108 | Rochester, NY | $37,170 | $32,470 | $39,480 | $38,310 |
| 109 | Salt Lake City, UT | $37,130 | $28,230 | $41,500 | $36,810 |
| 110 | Eugene, OR | $37,090 | $31,990 | $39,580 | $36,520 |
| 111 | Naples, FL | $37,070 | $30,100 | $40,520 | $35,920 |
| 112 | Toledo, OH | $37,040 | $26,440 | $42,290 | $40,500 |
| 113 | Grand Junction, CO | $37,020 | $30,850 | $40,080 | $38,770 |
| 114 | Hilton Head Island, SC | $36,900 | $27,310 | $41,620 | $37,650 |
| 115 | St. George, UT | $36,900 | $27,160 | $41,700 | $37,920 |
| 116 | Pensacola, FL | $36,820 | $28,680 | $40,810 | $37,680 |
| 117 | Mankato, MN | $36,800 | $29,370 | $40,440 | $40,460 |
| 118 | Boise City, ID | $36,770 | $26,850 | $41,660 | $37,370 |
| 119 | Orlando, FL | $36,750 | $29,240 | $40,440 | $36,240 |
| 120 | Tampa, FL | $36,730 | $29,540 | $40,290 | $36,410 |
| 121 | Missoula, MT | $36,710 | $29,680 | $40,190 | $38,060 |
| 122 | Lewiston, ME | $36,570 | $31,990 | $38,810 | $38,600 |
| 123 | Athens, GA | $36,480 | $24,250 | $42,520 | $39,080 |
| 124 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $36,440 | $28,580 | $40,310 | $40,210 |
| 125 | Iowa City, IA | $36,340 | $27,810 | $40,560 | $39,710 |
| 126 | McAllen, TX | $36,340 | $23,230 | $42,790 | $42,310 |
| 127 | Midland, TX | $36,320 | $26,350 | $41,230 | $37,920 |
| 128 | Billings, MT | $36,280 | $28,620 | $40,040 | $38,790 |
| 129 | Cape Coral, FL | $36,280 | $29,520 | $39,600 | $35,450 |
| 130 | Palm Bay, FL | $36,230 | $29,180 | $39,710 | $36,230 |
| 131 | Abilene, TX | $36,190 | $24,840 | $41,770 | $40,050 |
| 132 | Columbus, OH | $36,190 | $27,660 | $40,390 | $37,910 |
| 133 | Charlottesville, VA | $36,170 | $29,160 | $39,620 | $36,480 |
| 134 | Ocala, FL | $36,150 | $28,810 | $39,770 | $37,960 |
| 135 | Killeen, TX | $36,130 | $24,770 | $41,700 | $39,650 |
| 136 | North Port, FL | $36,130 | $29,660 | $39,310 | $35,280 |
| 137 | Lake Havasu City, AZ | $36,110 | $31,700 | $38,290 | $38,370 |
| 138 | Elmira, NY | $36,070 | $32,860 | $37,650 | $38,210 |
| 139 | Manhattan, KS | $36,070 | $22,670 | $42,640 | $40,010 |
| 140 | St. Cloud, MN | $36,070 | $28,020 | $40,020 | $41,160 |
| 141 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,050 | $27,210 | $40,410 | $38,950 |
| 142 | Asheville, NC | $35,980 | $26,370 | $40,710 | $37,280 |
| 143 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | $35,980 | $26,120 | $40,850 | $36,600 |
| 144 | Springfield, IL | $35,980 | $31,200 | $38,330 | $38,790 |
| 145 | Gainesville, FL | $35,960 | $28,600 | $39,580 | $37,170 |
| 146 | San Angelo, TX | $35,940 | $24,860 | $41,390 | $38,870 |
| 147 | Bloomington, IL | $35,840 | $31,200 | $38,130 | $38,320 |
| 148 | Nashville, TN | $35,820 | $27,190 | $40,060 | $37,180 |
| 149 | Provo, UT | $35,820 | $23,000 | $42,140 | $36,460 |
| 150 | Durham, NC | $35,800 | $26,520 | $40,350 | $36,690 |
| 151 | Lexington, KY | $35,780 | $26,330 | $40,410 | $38,520 |
| 152 | Battle Creek, MI | $35,730 | $26,670 | $40,210 | $39,460 |
| 153 | Reno, NV | $35,730 | $28,410 | $39,350 | $35,370 |
| 154 | Binghamton, NY | $35,710 | $32,240 | $37,420 | $38,450 |
| 155 | San Antonio, TX | $35,710 | $26,440 | $40,270 | $37,700 |
| 156 | Knoxville, TN | $35,690 | $27,020 | $39,960 | $38,560 |
| 157 | Charleston, SC | $35,610 | $26,850 | $39,920 | $35,270 |
| 158 | Champaign, IL | $35,590 | $31,200 | $37,750 | $38,390 |
| 159 | Crestview, FL | $35,590 | $29,140 | $38,750 | $36,680 |
| 160 | Fayetteville, AR | $35,590 | $28,830 | $38,920 | $38,960 |
| 161 | Jacksonville, FL | $35,570 | $28,870 | $38,850 | $35,750 |
| 162 | Sebastian, FL | $35,510 | $28,770 | $38,810 | $36,120 |
| 163 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $35,460 | $26,480 | $39,890 | $37,180 |
| 164 | Wildwood, FL | $35,420 | $28,660 | $38,750 | $41,460 |
| 165 | Allentown, PA-NJ | $35,340 | $26,520 | $39,690 | $35,350 |
| 166 | Rockford, IL | $35,280 | $31,200 | $37,290 | $38,280 |
| 167 | Waco, TX | $35,260 | $24,210 | $40,710 | $38,100 |
| 168 | Richmond, VA | $35,130 | $28,330 | $38,480 | $35,900 |
| 169 | Spartanburg, SC | $35,110 | $25,480 | $39,830 | $38,560 |
| 170 | Watertown, NY | $35,070 | $32,450 | $36,360 | $39,990 |
| 171 | Deltona, FL | $35,050 | $28,750 | $38,150 | $35,270 |
| 172 | Lubbock, TX | $35,030 | $24,110 | $40,390 | $38,360 |
| 173 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $35,030 | $29,430 | $37,790 | $36,840 |
| 174 | Oshkosh, WI | $35,010 | $25,980 | $39,460 | $37,670 |
| 175 | Wichita, KS | $35,010 | $23,570 | $40,640 | $39,360 |
| 176 | Charlotte, NC-SC | $34,990 | $26,850 | $38,980 | $35,940 |
| 177 | Great Falls, MT | $34,940 | $27,710 | $38,520 | $36,080 |
| 178 | Lincoln, NE | $34,940 | $28,350 | $38,190 | $38,150 |
| 179 | Albuquerque, NM | $34,900 | $28,500 | $38,060 | $36,530 |
| 180 | Duluth, MN-WI | $34,900 | $27,060 | $38,770 | $39,320 |
| 181 | Ogden, UT | $34,820 | $26,230 | $39,040 | $34,700 |
| 182 | Grand Island, NE | $34,800 | $28,330 | $38,000 | $40,160 |
| 183 | Detroit, MI | $34,760 | $28,850 | $37,670 | $34,660 |
| 184 | Peoria, IL | $34,670 | $31,200 | $36,400 | $38,000 |
| 185 | Davenport, IA-IL | $34,650 | $26,620 | $38,580 | $38,900 |
| 186 | Houston, TX | $34,630 | $25,080 | $39,330 | $35,110 |
| 187 | Traverse City, MI | $34,610 | $28,580 | $37,590 | $37,070 |
| 188 | Des Moines, IA | $34,550 | $26,150 | $38,710 | $37,680 |
| 189 | Paducah, KY-IL | $34,550 | $25,170 | $39,170 | $40,140 |
| 190 | Cleveland, OH | $34,490 | $26,500 | $38,420 | $36,720 |
| 191 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $34,490 | $24,460 | $39,420 | $37,060 |
| 192 | Panama City, FL | $34,470 | $27,890 | $37,710 | $35,430 |
| 193 | Raleigh, NC | $34,440 | $26,890 | $38,150 | $35,090 |
| 194 | Milwaukee, WI | $34,420 | $25,940 | $38,600 | $35,510 |
| 195 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $34,400 | $28,970 | $37,090 | $39,820 |
| 196 | Akron, OH | $34,380 | $26,250 | $38,380 | $36,820 |
| 197 | Carson City, NV | $34,380 | $27,160 | $37,920 | $35,040 |
| 198 | Lakeland, FL | $34,360 | $28,270 | $37,360 | $35,370 |
| 199 | Pittsburgh, PA | $34,360 | $25,920 | $38,520 | $36,290 |
| 200 | Greenville, SC | $34,240 | $25,830 | $38,380 | $36,710 |
| 201 | Lewiston, ID-WA | $34,240 | $28,410 | $37,110 | $37,560 |
| 202 | Manchester, NH | $34,240 | $25,750 | $38,400 | $32,410 |
| 203 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $34,150 | $28,500 | $36,940 | $34,070 |
| 204 | Ann Arbor, MI | $34,130 | $28,180 | $37,040 | $33,830 |
| 205 | Sherman, TX | $34,130 | $23,280 | $39,480 | $36,400 |
| 206 | Lansing, MI | $34,110 | $27,730 | $37,270 | $35,910 |
| 207 | Las Vegas, NV | $34,090 | $27,730 | $37,210 | $34,020 |
| 208 | Pocatello, ID | $34,050 | $23,820 | $39,100 | $38,300 |
| 209 | Sheboygan, WI | $34,050 | $26,870 | $37,590 | $36,220 |
| 210 | Winston, NC | $34,050 | $25,310 | $38,360 | $36,990 |
| 211 | Harrisonburg, VA | $34,010 | $27,750 | $37,090 | $35,840 |
| 212 | Lancaster, PA | $33,990 | $26,690 | $37,560 | $34,590 |
| 213 | Dayton, OH | $33,950 | $25,980 | $37,860 | $36,630 |
| 214 | Homosassa Springs, FL | $33,950 | $27,790 | $36,980 | $36,320 |
| 215 | Reading, PA | $33,950 | $25,730 | $38,000 | $34,980 |
| 216 | Eau Claire, WI | $33,920 | $25,000 | $38,330 | $36,550 |
| 217 | Punta Gorda, FL | $33,920 | $29,160 | $36,250 | $33,740 |
| 218 | Gettysburg, PA | $33,900 | $26,710 | $37,440 | $35,540 |
| 219 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,900 | $25,330 | $38,150 | $36,780 |
| 220 | Virginia Beach, VA-NC | $33,900 | $28,120 | $36,750 | $34,610 |
| 221 | Daphne, AL | $33,880 | $23,320 | $39,100 | $35,780 |
| 222 | Springfield, MO | $33,840 | $28,660 | $36,400 | $38,200 |
| 223 | Elizabethtown, KY | $33,820 | $24,360 | $38,480 | $37,340 |
| 224 | Decatur, IL | $33,800 | $31,200 | $35,070 | $38,230 |
| 225 | Appleton, WI | $33,780 | $25,810 | $37,710 | $36,550 |
| 226 | Logan, UT-ID | $33,780 | $24,400 | $38,400 | $35,210 |
| 227 | Grand Rapids, MI | $33,760 | $28,160 | $36,520 | $35,330 |
| 228 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $33,740 | $27,310 | $36,900 | $39,280 |
| 229 | Burlington, NC | $33,720 | $25,650 | $37,690 | $36,180 |
| 230 | Lima, OH | $33,650 | $24,610 | $38,110 | $37,530 |
| 231 | Tallahassee, FL | $33,650 | $28,250 | $36,340 | $35,830 |
| 232 | Roanoke, VA | $33,630 | $27,020 | $36,900 | $35,920 |
| 233 | Beaumont, TX | $33,590 | $23,360 | $38,630 | $37,300 |
| 234 | Huntsville, AL | $33,590 | $24,610 | $38,020 | $36,090 |
| 235 | Wausau, WI | $33,570 | $25,750 | $37,440 | $36,230 |
| 236 | Dover, DE | $33,550 | $31,200 | $34,720 | $34,410 |
| 237 | Rapid City, SD | $33,550 | $27,980 | $36,300 | $37,630 |
| 238 | Lebanon, PA | $33,490 | $26,620 | $36,860 | $35,930 |
| 239 | Greensboro, NC | $33,430 | $24,770 | $37,690 | $36,000 |
| 240 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $33,380 | $25,330 | $37,360 | $36,500 |
| 241 | Bloomington, IN | $33,320 | $24,840 | $37,520 | $35,040 |
| 242 | Staunton, VA | $33,320 | $27,350 | $36,280 | $36,560 |
| 243 | Idaho Falls, ID | $33,300 | $24,070 | $37,860 | $35,270 |
| 244 | Little Rock, AR | $33,260 | $27,290 | $36,210 | $37,220 |
| 245 | Jonesboro, AR | $33,220 | $28,230 | $35,690 | $38,680 |
| 246 | Myrtle Beach, SC | $33,130 | $25,230 | $37,020 | $35,380 |
| 247 | Flint, MI | $33,110 | $27,930 | $35,670 | $35,590 |
| 248 | Brownsville, TX | $33,050 | $23,400 | $37,790 | $38,440 |
| 249 | Kalamazoo, MI | $33,050 | $28,200 | $35,420 | $34,850 |
| 250 | Winchester, VA-WV | $32,990 | $26,940 | $35,980 | $34,200 |
| 251 | Lawrence, KS | $32,970 | $23,590 | $37,590 | $36,530 |
| 252 | Kankakee, IL | $32,950 | $31,200 | $33,800 | $34,180 |
| 253 | Mansfield, OH | $32,950 | $26,170 | $36,300 | $37,080 |
| 254 | Racine, WI | $32,930 | $25,750 | $36,460 | $34,320 |
| 255 | South Bend, IN-MI | $32,930 | $25,150 | $36,750 | $35,460 |
| 256 | Columbia, SC | $32,880 | $23,650 | $37,420 | $35,100 |
| 257 | Laredo, TX | $32,860 | $23,110 | $37,670 | $37,790 |
| 258 | Lynchburg, VA | $32,860 | $26,850 | $35,820 | $36,770 |
| 259 | York, PA | $32,800 | $25,600 | $36,360 | $34,170 |
| 260 | Atlanta, GA | $32,760 | $24,790 | $36,670 | $32,740 |
| 261 | Green Bay, WI | $32,760 | $26,190 | $36,000 | $35,190 |
| 262 | Saginaw, MI | $32,740 | $27,440 | $35,360 | $36,020 |
| 263 | Las Cruces, NM | $32,720 | $26,980 | $35,550 | $36,270 |
| 264 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,680 | $25,250 | $36,340 | $35,930 |
| 265 | Longview, TX | $32,660 | $23,750 | $37,040 | $36,500 |
| 266 | Amarillo, TX | $32,590 | $23,630 | $37,020 | $35,490 |
| 267 | Hickory, NC | $32,590 | $24,840 | $36,420 | $36,830 |
| 268 | Harrisburg, PA | $32,550 | $24,710 | $36,420 | $33,000 |
| 269 | Blacksburg, VA | $32,530 | $27,290 | $35,110 | $35,090 |
| 270 | Jackson, MI | $32,510 | $27,520 | $34,960 | $35,420 |
| 271 | Scranton, PA | $32,490 | $25,380 | $36,000 | $34,730 |
| 272 | El Paso, TX | $32,470 | $23,670 | $36,800 | $36,110 |
| 273 | Indianapolis, IN | $32,430 | $25,210 | $35,980 | $33,890 |
| 274 | Johnstown, PA | $32,410 | $20,970 | $38,040 | $37,720 |
| 275 | Columbia, MO | $32,340 | $28,660 | $34,150 | $36,160 |
| 276 | Columbus, IN | $32,320 | $24,400 | $36,210 | $34,750 |
| 277 | Fayetteville, NC | $32,320 | $23,570 | $36,630 | $35,140 |
| 278 | Jacksonville, NC | $32,320 | $23,770 | $36,550 | $35,100 |
| 279 | Owensboro, KY | $32,320 | $23,710 | $36,570 | $36,470 |
| 280 | Hot Springs, AR | $32,300 | $26,620 | $35,090 | $37,680 |
| 281 | Fort Wayne, IN | $32,280 | $24,230 | $36,250 | $34,870 |
| 282 | Janesville, WI | $32,260 | $26,080 | $35,300 | $34,430 |
| 283 | Corpus Christi, TX | $32,220 | $23,190 | $36,670 | $34,770 |
| 284 | Sandusky, OH | $32,200 | $24,770 | $35,860 | $36,070 |
| 285 | Evansville, IN | $32,160 | $24,000 | $36,170 | $35,140 |
| 286 | College Station, TX | $32,140 | $24,250 | $36,000 | $35,340 |
| 287 | Kenosha, WI | $32,120 | $25,080 | $35,590 | $31,760 |
| 288 | Tulsa, OK | $32,120 | $22,550 | $36,840 | $36,000 |
| 289 | Gainesville, GA | $32,090 | $24,960 | $35,630 | $33,160 |
| 290 | New Orleans, LA | $32,090 | $23,090 | $36,520 | $34,660 |
| 291 | Sebring, FL | $32,090 | $27,330 | $34,440 | $34,700 |
| 292 | Monroe, MI | $32,030 | $27,520 | $34,260 | $34,260 |
| 293 | Wilmington, NC | $32,010 | $26,040 | $34,960 | $33,200 |
| 294 | Joplin, MO-KS | $31,990 | $28,500 | $33,720 | $37,320 |
| 295 | Michigan City, IN | $31,990 | $23,500 | $36,150 | $34,890 |
| 296 | Fond du Lac, WI | $31,970 | $24,880 | $35,460 | $34,890 |
| 297 | Mobile, AL | $31,970 | $23,320 | $36,230 | $36,290 |
| 298 | La Crosse, WI-MN | $31,950 | $25,270 | $35,240 | $34,820 |
| 299 | Wichita Falls, TX | $31,950 | $20,650 | $37,500 | $35,690 |
| 300 | Casper, WY | $31,930 | $25,380 | $35,150 | $34,030 |
| 301 | Erie, PA | $31,930 | $25,020 | $35,340 | $35,110 |
| 302 | Goldsboro, NC | $31,930 | $24,650 | $35,510 | $36,090 |
| 303 | Elkhart, IN | $31,910 | $24,420 | $35,590 | $35,330 |
| 304 | Tyler, TX | $31,890 | $24,190 | $35,670 | $34,600 |
| 305 | Altoona, PA | $31,870 | $23,980 | $35,760 | $35,610 |
| 306 | Birmingham, AL | $31,780 | $24,360 | $35,460 | $34,680 |
| 307 | Canton, OH | $31,760 | $24,980 | $35,110 | $35,520 |
| 308 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $31,740 | $28,720 | $33,240 | $36,870 |
| 309 | Morgantown, WV | $31,700 | $24,190 | $35,400 | $33,970 |
| 310 | Niles, MI | $31,700 | $27,870 | $33,590 | $34,320 |
| 311 | Jefferson City, MO | $31,640 | $28,620 | $33,130 | $35,960 |
| 312 | State College, PA | $31,640 | $24,940 | $34,940 | $32,700 |
| 313 | Midland, MI | $31,570 | $27,750 | $33,450 | $34,340 |
| 314 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,550 | $23,170 | $35,690 | $36,490 |
| 315 | Texarkana, TX-AR | $31,550 | $21,320 | $36,610 | $37,550 |
| 316 | Springfield, OH | $31,530 | $24,920 | $34,800 | $34,850 |
| 317 | Augusta, GA-SC | $31,410 | $23,570 | $35,280 | $34,180 |
| 318 | Bay City, MI | $31,410 | $27,040 | $33,550 | $34,170 |
| 319 | Kokomo, IN | $31,370 | $22,900 | $35,550 | $34,990 |
| 320 | Cheyenne, WY | $31,350 | $23,590 | $35,170 | $32,490 |
| 321 | Kingsport, TN-VA | $31,300 | $24,810 | $34,490 | $36,210 |
| 322 | Jackson, TN | $31,280 | $24,190 | $34,780 | $36,580 |
| 323 | Greenville, NC | $31,260 | $24,560 | $34,570 | $35,360 |
| 324 | Twin Falls, ID | $31,260 | $24,020 | $34,800 | $33,940 |
| 325 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $31,260 | $24,190 | $34,740 | $35,390 |
| 326 | Waterloo, IA | $31,220 | $25,380 | $34,090 | $35,860 |
| 327 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $31,200 | $23,280 | $35,110 | $35,070 |
| 328 | Rocky Mount, NC | $31,200 | $21,630 | $35,900 | $35,450 |
| 329 | Savannah, GA | $31,160 | $24,070 | $34,650 | $32,730 |
| 330 | Decatur, AL | $31,120 | $21,780 | $35,730 | $35,680 |
| 331 | Bowling Green, KY | $31,100 | $25,190 | $34,010 | $34,490 |
| 332 | Dothan, AL | $31,050 | $22,340 | $35,340 | $37,040 |
| 333 | Lafayette, IN | $31,010 | $22,340 | $35,280 | $33,190 |
| 334 | Pinehurst, NC | $31,010 | $23,280 | $34,840 | $35,100 |
| 335 | Parkersburg, WV | $30,990 | $22,650 | $35,090 | $35,590 |
| 336 | Williamsport, PA | $30,910 | $21,990 | $35,320 | $33,470 |
| 337 | Oklahoma City, OK | $30,760 | $23,130 | $34,530 | $34,020 |
| 338 | Muskegon, MI | $30,740 | $26,690 | $32,740 | $33,230 |
| 339 | Dubuque, IA | $30,660 | $23,070 | $34,400 | $35,110 |
| 340 | Florence, SC | $30,660 | $22,980 | $34,440 | $35,330 |
| 341 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $30,640 | $23,320 | $34,260 | $34,930 |
| 342 | Auburn, AL | $30,620 | $23,340 | $34,220 | $34,820 |
| 343 | Brunswick, GA | $30,620 | $23,650 | $34,050 | $34,910 |
| 344 | Charleston, WV | $30,600 | $22,420 | $34,610 | $34,490 |
| 345 | Chambersburg, PA | $30,430 | $21,800 | $34,670 | $32,150 |
| 346 | Morristown, TN | $30,370 | $23,250 | $33,860 | $35,170 |
| 347 | Weirton, WV-OH | $30,350 | $22,340 | $34,300 | $34,090 |
| 348 | Huntington, WV-KY-OH | $30,330 | $22,630 | $34,130 | $34,300 |
| 349 | Cleveland, TN | $30,220 | $23,320 | $33,630 | $34,310 |
| 350 | Baton Rouge, LA | $30,120 | $22,840 | $33,700 | $33,180 |
| 351 | Johnson City, TN | $30,080 | $23,440 | $33,340 | $34,210 |
| 352 | Youngstown, OH | $30,060 | $24,320 | $32,910 | $34,400 |
| 353 | Beckley, WV | $29,970 | $24,270 | $32,760 | $33,910 |
| 354 | Macon, GA | $29,720 | $21,740 | $33,650 | $33,570 |
| 355 | Gulfport, MS | $29,640 | $21,300 | $33,760 | $32,930 |
| 356 | Montgomery, AL | $29,640 | $21,490 | $33,650 | $33,050 |
| 357 | Sumter, SC | $29,580 | $24,650 | $31,990 | $33,610 |
| 358 | Alexandria, LA | $29,410 | $21,510 | $33,300 | $34,320 |
| 359 | Shreveport, LA | $29,410 | $21,780 | $33,180 | $34,700 |
| 360 | Florence, AL | $29,390 | $21,800 | $33,130 | $34,650 |
| 361 | Enid, OK | $29,310 | $18,970 | $34,400 | $34,780 |
| 362 | Columbus, GA-AL | $29,240 | $21,440 | $33,090 | $32,750 |
| 363 | Victoria, TX | $29,220 | $22,240 | $32,660 | $32,520 |
| 364 | Houma, LA | $28,850 | $22,070 | $32,200 | $33,900 |
| 365 | Warner Robins, GA | $28,680 | $21,990 | $31,990 | $30,580 |
| 366 | Slidell, LA | $28,540 | $21,940 | $31,780 | $30,780 |
| 367 | Lawton, OK | $28,410 | $19,470 | $32,840 | $33,060 |
| 368 | Lake Charles, LA | $28,370 | $21,670 | $31,680 | $33,050 |
| 369 | Topeka, KS | $28,160 | $21,690 | $31,350 | $31,700 |
| 370 | Monroe, LA | $28,000 | $20,090 | $31,910 | $33,490 |
| 371 | Dalton, GA | $27,960 | $21,340 | $31,220 | $31,120 |
| 372 | Hattiesburg, MS | $27,930 | $20,720 | $31,470 | $31,870 |
| 373 | Hammond, LA | $27,910 | $21,650 | $30,990 | $33,050 |
| 374 | Muncie, IN | $27,870 | $19,910 | $31,780 | $31,620 |
| 375 | Jackson, MS | $27,750 | $21,550 | $30,800 | $31,160 |
| 376 | Lafayette, LA | $27,600 | $20,880 | $30,910 | $31,650 |
| 377 | Rome, GA | $27,580 | $20,860 | $30,890 | $30,590 |
| 378 | San Juan, PR | $27,500 | $22,400 | $30,010 | N/A |
| 379 | Valdosta, GA | $27,210 | $20,360 | $30,580 | $30,830 |
| 380 | Terre Haute, IN | $27,160 | $19,510 | $30,950 | $30,930 |
| 381 | Albany, GA | $27,140 | $19,740 | $30,780 | $30,960 |
| 382 | Anniston, AL | $26,600 | $20,470 | $29,620 | $30,950 |
| 383 | Gadsden, AL | $26,600 | $19,300 | $30,180 | $31,060 |
| 384 | Mayaguez, PR | $25,750 | $21,860 | $27,660 | N/A |
| 385 | Ponce, PR | $24,500 | $21,840 | $25,810 | N/A |
More
More on animal caretakers
Method
About these numbers
- Mean wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 estimates for each metropolitan statistical area, as published in the Department of Labor’s 2026–27 OFLC prevailing-wage file. Only metros with their own BLS estimate are listed.
- Entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) are the Department of Labor’s prevailing-wage levels for the occupation in that metro, used for employer visa filings. They are benchmarks from the same OEWS survey, not percentiles.
- OEWS top-codes wages at $115 an hour ($239,200 a year); top-coded means are shown as "$239,200+" and left out of rankings.
- At US prices divides the mean by the metro’s BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) over 100, a NueCareer calculation.
Questions
Animal Caretaker salary by city: FAQ
Which city pays animal caretakers the most?
San Jose, CA, where the average (mean) wage is $47,920 a year, followed by Seattle, WA ($47,820), San Francisco, CA ($46,970), Phoenix, AZ ($46,050). The national mean is $37,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Where do animal caretakers earn the most after cost of living?
Divided by each metro's BEA price level, pay goes furthest in Minot, ND ($51,120 at national prices, $44,490 nominal), Barnstable Town, MA ($46,680 at national prices, $45,910 nominal), Grand Forks, ND-MN ($45,290 at national prices, $39,250 nominal).
How much do animal caretakers make in the biggest cities?
New York, NY-NJ: $41,480; Los Angeles, CA: $41,700; Chicago, IL-IN: $39,730; Dallas, TX: $37,840; Houston, TX: $34,630 (mean annual wage, BLS OEWS May 2025).
Where do animal caretakers earn the least?
Of the 385 metro areas with their own estimate, Ponce, PR has the lowest mean wage, $24,500.