Animal Caretaker salary in Iowa
Animal Caretakers in Iowa earn a median of $30,080 a year ($14.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,610 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $35,360. Iowa ranks 42nd of 51 states for animal caretakers pay. There are 2.2 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,450 | $10.80 |
| 25th percentile | $27,240 | $13.10 |
| Median | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| 75th percentile | $35,140 | $16.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| Average (mean) | $32,900 | $15.82 |
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 | $2,506.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,253.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,156.92 |
| Weekly | $578.46 |
| Hourly | $14.46 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $38,700 | 190 |
| Iowa City, IA | $33,510 | 300 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $32,980 | 1,280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 290 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $30,950 | 920 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,880 | 130 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $29,870 | 470 |
| Dubuque, IA | $29,420 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,190 | 340 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $43,020 | $20.68 |
| Childcare Worker | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,430 | $13.19 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,700 | $17.17 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,160 | $17.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Gambling Dealer | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Funeral Attendant | $40,060 | $19.26 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for animal caretakers in Iowa is $30,080 a year, or $14.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in Iowa earn at least $45,610 a year. The top 25% earn $35,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,450 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $27,240 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Iowa?
About 3,480 animal caretakers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.