Animal Caretaker salary in Delaware
Animal Caretakers in Delaware earn a median of $33,910 a year ($16.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,500 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $35,360. Delaware ranks 25th of 51 states for animal caretakers pay. There are 2.5 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| 75th percentile | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| Average (mean) | $35,940 | $17.28 |
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 | $2,825.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,412.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,304.23 |
| Weekly | $652.12 |
| Hourly | $16.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Animal Caretaker salary in cities in Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,970 | 5,480 |
| Dover, DE | $31,200 | 240 |
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 |
Related jobs in Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $33,810 | $16.25 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,350 | $16.51 |
| Childcare Worker | $33,210 | $15.97 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $59,790 | $28.75 |
| Residential Advisor | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $33,210 | $15.97 |
| Gambling Dealer | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Shampooer | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for animal caretakers in Delaware is $33,910 a year, or $16.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Delaware?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in Delaware earn at least $42,500 a year. The top 25% earn $36,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Delaware?
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 Delaware?
About 1,230 animal caretakers are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.