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39-2021

Animal Caretakers

Role Overview

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. Excludes “Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers” (31-9096) and “Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals” (45-2093).

Salary by State (top paying)

State Median salary
Washington $38,400
District of Columbia $37,980
California $37,200
Massachusetts $36,910
New York $36,500
Connecticut $36,330
Maine $36,310
Maryland $35,990
Vermont $35,600
Alaska $35,570
Oregon $35,310
Colorado $35,300
Arizona $35,170
Rhode Island $34,930
New Jersey $34,530

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for this career?

Projected growth and annual openings are from BLS Employment Projections. Use the sidebar for median salary and growth rate.

How does salary vary by state?

See the Salary by State table above for state-level median wages from OEWS data.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), BLS Employment Projections.

Median Annual Salary

$33,470

Projected Growth (10yr)

+12.1%

Avg. annual openings

74.6k

Market Insight

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