New Jersey Median
$35,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#17 of 51
5,890 employed here
How much does an Animal Caretaker make in New Jersey?
Animal Caretakers in New Jersey take home a median of $35,850 annually — roughly $17.24 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $35,360.
Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $32,220 while the top 10% make $49,620 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,110 and $42,340 a year.
Animal Caretaker salary range in New Jersey
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,110 | $16.40 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,850 | $17.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $42,340 | $20.36 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,620 | $23.86 |
|
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks 17th 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 $36,090Illinois $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 New Jersey
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 New Jersey pay ($35,850) 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 New Jersey?
The median Animal Caretaker salary in New Jersey is $35,850 per year, or about $17.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,220 at the entry level to $49,620 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Animal Caretakers about 1% more than the national median of $35,360. New Jersey ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Animal Caretakers?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $35,850 a year. About 5,890 Animal Caretakers are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Animal Caretaker salary report
Related salaries
$38,210
median pay · 15,000 employed
$35,760
median pay · 153,000 employed
$48,590
median pay · 114,000 employed
$36,300
median pay · 16,000 employed
$38,270
median pay · 1,000 employed
$35,790
median pay · 306,000 employed
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.