Animal Caretaker salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Animal Caretakers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $32,720 a year ($15.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,400 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 8% higher than the Arkansas statewide median of $30,230. There are 1.0 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $33,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,840 | $13.38 |
| 25th percentile | $28,860 | $13.88 |
| Median | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| 75th percentile | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,400 | $22.31 |
| Average (mean) | $33,730 | $16.22 |
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 | $2,726.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,363.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,258.46 |
| Weekly | $629.23 |
| Hourly | $15.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Animal Caretaker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $33,900 | 660 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $31,070 | 850 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $30,410 | 100 |
| Tulsa, OK | $29,850 | 900 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $29,270 | 650 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $28,790 | 1,560 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $28,450 | 100 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $28,220 | 40 |
| Lawton, OK | $26,890 | 90 |
| Enid, OK | $26,810 | 50 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,930 | $12.95 |
| Recreation Worker | $25,690 | $12.35 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $32,750 | $15.75 |
| Skincare Specialist | $36,250 | $17.43 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $32,720 a year, or $15.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $46,400 a year. The top 25% earn $35,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,840 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $28,860 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 100 animal caretakers are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.