Animal Caretaker Salary in Minnesota (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Minnesota Median
$36,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#15 of 51
4,250 employed here

How much does an Animal Caretaker make in Minnesota?

Animal Caretakers in Minnesota take home a median of $36,430 annually — roughly $17.51 an hour — which runs 3% above the national median of $35,360.

Within Minnesota, entry-level pay starts around $29,440 while the top 10% make $48,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,710 and $41,600 a year.

Animal Caretaker salary range in Minnesota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,440$14.15
25th percentile (early career)$31,710$15.25
50th percentile (median)$36,430$17.51
75th percentile (experienced)$41,600$20.00
90th percentile (top earners)$48,050$23.10

How Minnesota compares

Minnesota ranks 15th 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 Minnesota

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 Minnesota pay ($36,430) 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 Minnesota?
The median Animal Caretaker salary in Minnesota is $36,430 per year, or about $17.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,440 at the entry level to $48,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Minnesota pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota pays Animal Caretakers about 3% more than the national median of $35,360. Minnesota ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Minnesota a good state for Animal Caretakers?
Yes on pay — Minnesota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,430 a year. About 4,250 Animal Caretakers are employed in Minnesota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Minnesota?
The highest-paying occupations in Minnesota include Radiologist ($708,340), Dermatologist ($625,790), Surgeon, All Other ($568,150), 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.