Animal Caretaker salary in Illinois
Animal Caretakers in Illinois earn a median of $35,570 a year ($17.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,160 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $35,360. Illinois ranks 18th of 51 states for animal caretakers pay. There are 1.8 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $32,080 | $15.42 |
| Median | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| 75th percentile | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| Average (mean) | $38,670 | $18.59 |
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 | $2,964.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,482.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,368.08 |
| Weekly | $684.04 |
| Hourly | $17.10 |
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 Illinois
| 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 |
| Decatur, IL | $31,670 | 100 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Childcare Worker | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,770 | $15.75 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Gambling Dealer | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $40,390 | $19.42 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for animal caretakers in Illinois is $35,570 a year, or $17.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in Illinois earn at least $50,160 a year. The top 25% earn $37,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $32,080 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Illinois?
About 11,070 animal caretakers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.