Animal Caretakers
SOC 39-2021 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Animal Caretakers is $31,200, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $33,530, and an estimated 268,830 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +19.6% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +1.6% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 12.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Animal Caretakers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $31,200 | $31,200 | 268,830 |
| 2022 | $29,530 | $30,746 | 256,670 |
| 2021 | $28,600 | $32,160 | 225,680 |
| 2020 | $26,080 | $30,704 | 193,660 |
Nominal change
+19.6%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+1.6%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+12.1%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
392,100
Projected 2034
439,600
Annual Openings
74,600
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Animal Caretakers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $31,200. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $41,900 | +34.3% | 110 |
| Hawaii | $41,270 | +32.3% | 630 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $40,130 | +28.6% | 110 |
| District of Columbia | $38,250 | +22.6% | 230 |
| Washington | $37,220 | +19.3% | 6,190 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $36,770 | +17.9% | 210 |
| California | $36,490 | +17% | 24,930 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $36,200 | +16% | 150 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $36,150 | +15.9% | 180 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $35,970 | +15.3% | 200 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$23,180
25th Pct
$28,030
Median
$31,200
75th Pct
$36,220
90th Pct
$45,080
Related Occupations in Personal Care & Service
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.