Animal Caretakers
SOC code 39-2021 · O*NET-SOC 39-2021.00 · Little to some preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Animal Caretakers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$35,360
a year
Hourly
$17.00
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$37,300
$17.94 per hour
Middle 50%
$29,820 – $40,050
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$27,250 – $50,060
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
266,910
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $27,250
- $13.10/hr
- 25th percentile
- $29,820
- $14.34/hr
- Median percentile
- $35,360
- $17.00/hr
- 75th percentile
- $40,050
- $19.26/hr
- 90th percentile
- $50,060
- $24.07/hr
What does an animal caretaker do?
Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.
How to become an animal caretaker
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 64% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)64%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree14%
- Bachelor's Degree13%
- Less than a High School Diploma10%
Common questions
How much does an animal caretaker earn?
The national median is $35,360 a year. The full range runs from $27,250 at the 10th percentile to $50,060 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an animal caretaker without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking2.9/5
- Writing2.8/5
- Critical Thinking2.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Administrative3.1/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
- Administration and Management2.5/5
- Psychology2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness.