Animal Caretaker salary in Decatur, IL
Animal Caretakers in the Decatur, IL metro area earn a median of $31,670 a year ($15.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,360 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 11% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $35,570. There are 2.2 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Decatur, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $31,670 | $15.23 |
| 75th percentile | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,360 | $18.92 |
| Average (mean) | $33,800 | $16.25 |
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 | $2,639.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,319.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,218.08 |
| Weekly | $609.04 |
| Hourly | $15.23 |
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 |
| Springfield, IL | $34,160 | 150 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $32,950 | 170 |
| Rockford, IL | $32,720 | 240 |
| Peoria, IL | $32,010 | 300 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $31,530 | 3,100 |
| Bloomington, IL | $31,280 | 150 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 290 |
| Kankakee, IL | $31,200 | 70 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $31,200 | 60 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,890 | 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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Decatur, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $32,620 | $15.69 |
| Recreation Worker | $31,590 | $15.19 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Decatur, IL
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 Decatur, IL?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Decatur, IL metro area is $31,670 a year, or $15.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Decatur, IL?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Decatur, IL metro area earn at least $39,360 a year. The top 25% earn $35,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Decatur, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $31,200 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Decatur, IL?
About 100 animal caretakers are employed in the Decatur, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.