Animal Caretaker Salary in Nebraska (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Nebraska Median
$31,680
per year
Hourly Rate
$15.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#29 of 51
2,100 employed here

How much does an Animal Caretaker make in Nebraska?

An Animal Caretaker working in Nebraska earns a median salary of $31,680 per year, or about $15.23 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $35,360 for this occupation.

Within Nebraska, entry-level pay starts around $28,080 while the top 10% make $52,010 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,160 and $39,490 a year.

Animal Caretaker salary range in Nebraska

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$28,080$13.50
25th percentile (early career)$29,160$14.02
50th percentile (median)$31,680$15.23
75th percentile (experienced)$39,490$18.99
90th percentile (top earners)$52,010$25.00

How Nebraska compares

Nebraska ranks 29th 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 Nebraska

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 Nebraska pay ($31,680) 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 Nebraska?
The median Animal Caretaker salary in Nebraska is $31,680 per year, or about $15.23 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,080 at the entry level to $52,010 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Nebraska pay compare to the national average?
Nebraska pays Animal Caretakers about 10% less than the national median of $35,360. Nebraska ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Nebraska a good state for Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $31,680 a year. About 2,100 Animal Caretakers are employed in Nebraska. 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 Nebraska?
The highest-paying occupations in Nebraska include Cardiologist ($646,300), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($507,770), Emergency Medicine Physician ($371,880), 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.