Animal Caretaker salary in Madison, WI
Animal Caretakers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $34,160 a year ($16.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,680 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 13% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $30,160. There are 3.0 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,760 | $13.35 |
| 25th percentile | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Median | $34,160 | $16.42 |
| 75th percentile | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,680 | $28.21 |
| Average (mean) | $37,260 | $17.91 |
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 | $2,846.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,423.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,313.85 |
| Weekly | $656.92 |
| 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $36,780 | 2,760 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,900 | 180 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $31,120 | 90 |
| Wausau, WI | $30,430 | 70 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $30,410 | 160 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $30,270 | 1,550 |
| Green Bay, WI | $30,190 | 310 |
| Appleton, WI | $30,110 | 230 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $29,940 | 110 |
| Kenosha, WI | $29,740 | 110 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $29,520 | 110 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $29,440 | 140 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $28,810 | 70 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $28,780 | 230 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $41,130 | $19.77 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $48,720 | $23.42 |
| Recreation Worker | $34,030 | $16.36 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,460 | $15.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $28,110 | $13.52 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,840 | $13.38 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $31,170 | $14.98 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,170 | $21.23 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Madison, WI metro area is $34,160 a year, or $16.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $58,680 a year. The top 25% earn $43,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,760 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $28,390 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Madison, WI?
About 1,240 animal caretakers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.