Animal Caretaker salary in Florida
Animal Caretakers in Florida earn a median of $34,150 a year ($16.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,140 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $35,360. Florida ranks 23rd of 51 states for animal caretakers pay. There are 1.7 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Florida
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,950 | $13.92 |
| 25th percentile | $29,760 | $14.31 |
| Median | $34,150 | $16.42 |
| 75th percentile | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,140 | $24.10 |
| Average (mean) | $36,820 | $17.70 |
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 | $2,845.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,422.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,313.46 |
| Weekly | $656.73 |
| Hourly | $16.42 |
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 Florida
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $35,160 | 3,820 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $34,970 | 310 |
| Ocala, FL | $34,930 | 600 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $34,830 | 3,020 |
| Gainesville, FL | $34,680 | 250 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $34,490 | 2,400 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $33,220 | 520 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $32,910 | 450 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $32,910 | 240 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $32,130 | 900 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $31,560 | 530 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $31,200 | 160 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $31,120 | 1,520 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $30,810 | 200 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $30,730 | 240 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $30,700 | 330 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $30,130 | 120 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $29,960 | 80 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $29,700 | 380 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $29,690 | 270 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $29,390 | 90 |
| Sebring, FL | $28,650 | 80 |
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 Florida
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $36,870 | $17.72 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $30,670 | $14.74 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| Concierge | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Gambling Dealer | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Skincare Specialist | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $30,890 | $14.85 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Florida
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 Florida?
The median salary for animal caretakers in Florida is $34,150 a year, or $16.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Florida?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in Florida earn at least $50,140 a year. The top 25% earn $37,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Florida?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,950 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $29,760 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Florida?
About 17,210 animal caretakers are employed in Florida, not counting the self-employed.