West Virginia Median
$28,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#48 of 51
1,160 employed here
How much does an Animal Caretaker make in West Virginia?
Animal Caretakers in West Virginia take home a median of $28,550 annually — roughly $13.73 an hour — which runs 19% below the national median of $35,360.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $22,050 while the top 10% make $44,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $25,220 and $34,400 a year.
Animal Caretaker salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,050 | $10.60 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $25,220 | $12.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $28,550 | $13.73 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $34,400 | $16.54 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,810 | $21.54 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 48th 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 $30,550South Dakota $30,390Michigan $30,320Nevada $30,320Ohio $30,310Arkansas $30,230Wisconsin $30,160Iowa $30,080Indiana $29,990Georgia $29,860Kansas $29,830Wyoming $29,080Oklahoma $28,940Alabama $28,330Louisiana $27,910Mississippi $26,970
Working as an Animal Caretaker in West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($28,550) 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 West Virginia?
The median Animal Caretaker salary in West Virginia is $28,550 per year, or about $13.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,050 at the entry level to $44,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Animal Caretakers about 19% less than the national median of $35,360. West Virginia ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,550 a year. About 1,160 Animal Caretakers are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.