Animal Caretaker salary in Columbus, IN
Animal Caretakers in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $28,960 a year ($13.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,060 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 3% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $29,990. There are 1.7 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,100 | $11.11 |
| 25th percentile | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| Median | $28,960 | $13.92 |
| 75th percentile | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| Average (mean) | $32,320 | $15.54 |
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 | $2,413.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,206.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,113.85 |
| Weekly | $556.92 |
| Hourly | $13.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,110 | 8,510 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,830 | 1,640 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,540 | 2,320 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,440 | 2,810 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $30,390 | 230 |
| Bloomington, IN | $29,720 | 170 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $29,680 | 100 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $29,540 | 120 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $29,510 | 380 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $29,430 | 230 |
| Evansville, IN | $29,390 | 340 |
| Kokomo, IN | $28,750 | 50 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,770 | 80 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $27,280 | 130 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $30,420 | $14.63 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $31,300 | $15.05 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, IN
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 Columbus, IN?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Columbus, IN metro area is $28,960 a year, or $13.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $42,060 a year. The top 25% earn $37,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,100 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $26,210 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Columbus, IN?
About 80 animal caretakers are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.