South Dakota Median
$30,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#36 of 51
1,110 employed here
How much does an Animal Caretaker make in South Dakota?
An Animal Caretaker working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $30,390 per year, or about $14.61 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $35,360 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $27,260 while the top 10% make $44,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,710 and $35,370 a year.
Animal Caretaker salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,260 | $13.11 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,710 | $13.80 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $30,390 | $14.61 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $35,370 | $17.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,960 | $21.62 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 36th 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 $34,150North 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 $30,550Michigan $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 South 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 South Dakota pay ($30,390) 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 South Dakota?
The median Animal Caretaker salary in South Dakota is $30,390 per year, or about $14.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,260 at the entry level to $44,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Animal Caretakers about 14% less than the national median of $35,360. South Dakota ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,390 a year. About 1,110 Animal Caretakers are employed in South 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 South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.