Animal Caretaker salary in Dover, DE
Animal Caretakers in the Dover, DE metro area earn a median of $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,430 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 8% lower than the Delaware statewide median of $33,910. There are 3.5 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Dover, DE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 75th percentile | $33,410 | $16.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,430 | $17.52 |
| Average (mean) | $33,550 | $16.13 |
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 | $2,600 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,300 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,200 |
| Weekly | $600 |
| Hourly | $15.00 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,970 | 5,480 |
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 Delaware statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dover, DE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| Childcare Worker | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $57,940 | $27.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $34,780 | $16.72 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Dover, DE
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 Dover, DE?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Dover, DE metro area is $31,200 a year, or $15.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Dover, DE?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Dover, DE metro area earn at least $36,430 a year. The top 25% earn $33,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Dover, DE?
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 Dover, DE?
About 240 animal caretakers are employed in the Dover, DE metro area, not counting the self-employed.