California Median
$38,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#5 of 51
25,710 employed here
How much does an Animal Caretaker make in California?
Animal Caretakers in California take home a median of $38,700 annually — roughly $18.61 an hour — which runs 9% above the national median of $35,360.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,640 while the top 10% make $56,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,810 and $45,160 a year.
Animal Caretaker salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,640 | $17.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,810 | $17.70 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,700 | $18.61 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $45,160 | $21.71 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,270 | $27.05 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories for Animal Caretaker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Animal Caretaker salary in other states
District of Columbia $44,210Washington $40,570Hawaii $40,130Massachusetts $39,650Arizona $38,180New York $37,840Colorado $37,430Connecticut $37,310Maine $37,230Rhode Island $37,120Maryland $36,780Alaska $36,640Oregon $36,580Minnesota $36,430Vermont $36,090New Jersey $35,850Illinois $35,570New Hampshire $34,790Utah $34,750Virginia $34,380Montana $34,210Florida $34,150North Dakota $34,040Delaware $33,910New Mexico $33,570Texas $32,730Idaho $32,170Nebraska $31,680Pennsylvania $31,360South Carolina $31,280Missouri $31,230North Carolina $30,870Kentucky $30,720Tennessee $30,550South Dakota $30,390Michigan $30,320Nevada $30,320Ohio $30,310Arkansas $30,230Wisconsin $30,160Iowa $30,080Indiana $29,990Georgia $29,860Kansas $29,830Wyoming $29,080Oklahoma $28,940West Virginia $28,550Alabama $28,330Louisiana $27,910Mississippi $26,970
Working as an Animal Caretaker in California
Nationally, about 267,000 people work as Animal Caretakers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($38,700) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Animal Caretaker make in California?
The median Animal Caretaker salary in California is $38,700 per year, or about $18.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,640 at the entry level to $56,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Animal Caretakers about 9% more than the national median of $35,360. California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Animal Caretakers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $38,700 a year. About 25,710 Animal Caretakers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Animal Caretaker salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.