Animal Caretaker Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$31,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$15.08
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#30 of 51
9,910 employed here

How much does an Animal Caretaker make in Pennsylvania?

An Animal Caretaker working in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $31,360 per year, or about $15.08 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $35,360 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $23,430 while the top 10% make $47,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,400 and $36,450 a year.

Animal Caretaker salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$23,430$11.26
25th percentile (early career)$28,400$13.65
50th percentile (median)$31,360$15.08
75th percentile (experienced)$36,450$17.52
90th percentile (top earners)$47,960$23.06

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 30th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($31,360) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Animal Caretaker salary in Pennsylvania is $31,360 per year, or about $15.08 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,430 at the entry level to $47,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Animal Caretakers about 11% less than the national median of $35,360. Pennsylvania ranks 30th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $31,360 a year. About 9,910 Animal Caretakers are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.