Animal Caretakers · North Carolina

Animal Caretakers Salary in North Carolina

Animal Caretakers in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $30,870 —12.7% below the national median of $35,360. That ranks NC #33 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$30,870
Median hourly
$14.84
Entry level (P10)
$23,210
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$46,120
90th percentile
Employment
9,730
2.0 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-12.7%
U.S. $35,360

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$23,210
$28,540
$30,870
$35,990
$23,210$30,870$46,120
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $30,870.

Employment is 1.15× as concentrated as the national average, making North Carolina a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for animal caretakers

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1District of Columbia$44,210$21.254600.38
2Washington$40,570$19.516,6201.09
3Hawaii$40,130$19.295700.53
4Massachusetts$39,650$19.066,9001.11
5California$38,700$18.6025,7100.82
6Arizona$38,180$18.356,3301.14
7New York$37,840$18.1912,4700.75
8Colorado$37,430$18.006,2901.27
9Connecticut$37,310$17.943,0001.03
10Maine$37,230$17.901,4301.30

Related occupations in North Carolina

Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.

OccupationNorth Carolina medianU.S. median
Childcare Workers$29,140$34,980
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$26,680$32,150
Recreation Workers$32,720$36,560
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$46,450$47,160
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$38,410$35,790
Manicurists and Pedicurists$34,740$35,760

Frequently asked questions

How much do animal caretakers make in North Carolina?

The median annual wage for animal caretakers in North Carolina is $30,870, or $14.84 per hour. That is 12.7% below the national median of $35,360.

What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in North Carolina?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $23,210 per year ($11.16/hour). The 25th percentile is $28,540.

How many people work as animal caretakers in North Carolina?

About 9,730 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 2.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is North Carolina a good state for animal caretakers?

North Carolina ranks #33 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.15x as concentrated as the national average, making North Carolina a strong market for this occupation.

Which state pays animal caretakers the most?

District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $44,210 per year, followed by Washington ($40,570) and Hawaii ($40,130).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes