North Dakota Median
$34,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#24 of 51
770 employed here
How much does an Animal Caretaker make in North Dakota?
Animal Caretakers in North Dakota take home a median of $34,040 annually — roughly $16.37 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $35,360.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $29,960 while the top 10% make $62,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,050 and $38,640 a year.
Animal Caretaker salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,960 | $14.40 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,050 | $14.93 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,040 | $16.37 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,640 | $18.58 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,170 | $29.89 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 24th 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 $34,150Delaware $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 North Dakota
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 North Dakota pay ($34,040) 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 North Dakota?
The median Animal Caretaker salary in North Dakota is $34,040 per year, or about $16.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,960 at the entry level to $62,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Animal Caretakers about 4% less than the national median of $35,360. North Dakota ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,040 a year. About 770 Animal Caretakers are employed in North Dakota. 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 North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), 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.