Animal Caretaker salary in Ithaca, NY
Animal Caretakers in the Ithaca, NY metro area earn a median of $36,930 a year ($17.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,440 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 2% lower than the New York statewide median of $37,840. There are 2.0 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Ithaca, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,120 | $15.93 |
| 25th percentile | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Median | $36,930 | $17.75 |
| 75th percentile | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,440 | $21.85 |
| Average (mean) | $38,220 | $18.37 |
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 | $3,077.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,538.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,420.38 |
| Weekly | $710.19 |
| Hourly | $17.75 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,900 | 11,430 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $36,360 | 540 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $35,890 | 80 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $35,640 | 880 |
| Syracuse, NY | $35,500 | 470 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $35,460 | 180 |
| Kingston, NY | $35,090 | 150 |
| Rochester, NY | $34,950 | 730 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $34,840 | 800 |
| Elmira, NY | $34,280 | 50 |
| Binghamton, NY | $33,880 | 130 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $33,810 | 60 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ithaca, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Recreation Worker | $34,770 | $16.71 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Residential Advisor | $53,760 | $25.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $61,140 | $29.39 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Ithaca, NY
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 Ithaca, NY?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Ithaca, NY metro area is $36,930 a year, or $17.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Ithaca, NY?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Ithaca, NY metro area earn at least $45,440 a year. The top 25% earn $38,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Ithaca, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,120 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $35,640 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Ithaca, NY?
About 100 animal caretakers are employed in the Ithaca, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.