Kentucky Median
$30,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#34 of 51
6,140 employed here
How much does an Animal Caretaker make in Kentucky?
Animal Caretakers in Kentucky take home a median of $30,720 annually — roughly $14.77 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $35,360.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $22,600 while the top 10% make $47,290 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,860 and $37,890 a year.
Animal Caretaker salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,600 | $10.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,860 | $13.39 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $30,720 | $14.77 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $37,890 | $18.22 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,290 | $22.74 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 34th 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 $39,650California $38,700Arizona $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 $30,870Tennessee $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 Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($30,720) 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 Kentucky?
The median Animal Caretaker salary in Kentucky is $30,720 per year, or about $14.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,600 at the entry level to $47,290 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Animal Caretakers about 13% less than the national median of $35,360. Kentucky ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,720 a year. About 6,140 Animal Caretakers are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.