Animal Caretaker salary in Bismarck, ND
Animal Caretakers in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median of $34,230 a year ($16.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,230 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Dakota statewide median of $34,040. There are 2.4 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Bismarck, ND
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,850 | $14.35 |
| 25th percentile | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| Median | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| 75th percentile | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| Average (mean) | $40,130 | $19.29 |
Half of animal caretakers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,852.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,426.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,316.54 |
| Weekly | $658.27 |
| Hourly | $16.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Animal Caretaker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND | $35,780 | 50 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $34,040 | 390 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $33,410 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for animal caretakers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $44,210 |
| Washington | $40,570 |
| Hawaii | $40,130 |
| Massachusetts | $39,650 |
| California | $38,700 |
| Arizona | $38,180 |
| New York | $37,840 |
| Colorado | $37,430 |
| Connecticut | $37,310 |
| Maine | $37,230 |
See Animal Caretaker pay in every state or the North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bismarck, ND
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $30,650 | $14.74 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,170 | $13.55 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,680 | $16.67 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| Gambling Dealer | $26,890 | $12.93 |
| Recreation Worker | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Residential Advisor | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $50,420 | $24.24 |
| Skincare Specialist | $58,520 | $28.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers | $39,300 | $18.89 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Bismarck, ND
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal caretaker make in Bismarck, ND?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $34,230 a year, or $16.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Bismarck, ND?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn at least $62,230 a year. The top 25% earn $39,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Bismarck, ND?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,850 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $30,840 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Bismarck, ND?
About 170 animal caretakers are employed in the Bismarck, ND metro area, not counting the self-employed.