Animal Caretaker Salary in Michigan (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Animal Caretakers in Michigan, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$30,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#37 of 51
6,290 employed here

How much does an Animal Caretaker make in Michigan?

An Animal Caretaker working in Michigan earns a median salary of $30,320 per year, or about $14.58 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $35,360 for this occupation.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $27,770 while the top 10% make $45,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,960 and $36,390 a year.

Animal Caretaker salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,770$13.35
25th percentile (early career)$28,960$13.92
50th percentile (median)$30,320$14.58
75th percentile (experienced)$36,390$17.50
90th percentile (top earners)$45,480$21.87

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories for Animal Caretaker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$44,210
2Washington$40,570
3Hawaii$40,130
4Massachusetts$39,650
5California$38,700

Working as an Animal Caretaker in Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($30,320) 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 Michigan?
The median Animal Caretaker salary in Michigan is $30,320 per year, or about $14.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,770 at the entry level to $45,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Animal Caretakers about 14% less than the national median of $35,360. Michigan ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,320 a year. About 6,290 Animal Caretakers are employed in Michigan. 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 Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), 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.