Animal Caretakers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Animal Caretakers fall under the Personal Care and Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Animal Caretakers earn a median salary of $33,470 per year, ranking in the top 99% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +12.1% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do animal caretakers earn?

The median annual wage for animal caretakers is $33,470. That puts animal caretakers at #798 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is animal caretakers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for animal caretakers is +12.1%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 392K positions in 2024 to 439K in 2034, a net change of 47K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.

What do animal caretakers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working animal caretakers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
2. 2.Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
3. 3.Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
4. 4.Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
5. 5.Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
6. 6.Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
7. 7.Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
8. 8.Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.

Top skills for animal caretakers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become animal caretaker?

Many animal caretakers enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about animal caretakers