Animal Caretaker salary in Merced, CA
Animal Caretakers in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median of $36,480 a year ($17.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,860 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 6% lower than the California statewide median of $38,700. There are 0.96 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $40,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Merced, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,830 | $16.74 |
| 25th percentile | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Median | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| 75th percentile | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| Average (mean) | $40,190 | $19.32 |
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 | $3,040 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,520 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,403.08 |
| Weekly | $701.54 |
| Hourly | $17.54 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $44,070 | 1,090 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $43,640 | 3,440 |
| El Centro, CA | $40,880 | 40 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $39,870 | 200 |
| Vallejo, CA | $39,520 | 230 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $38,840 | 600 |
| Napa, CA | $38,750 | 100 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $38,520 | 9,000 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,320 | 280 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $38,280 | 270 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $37,970 | 380 |
| Salinas, CA | $37,960 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $37,870 | 3,030 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,780 | 1,510 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $37,340 | 50 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,300 | 60 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $37,120 | 300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $37,050 | 2,170 |
| Redding, CA | $36,900 | 160 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $36,660 | 310 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $36,620 | 520 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,430 | 540 |
| Visalia, CA | $36,150 | 120 |
| Chico, CA | $35,990 | 150 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Merced, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $35,600 | $17.12 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $44,980 | $21.63 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,880 | $21.58 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Merced, CA
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 Merced, CA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Merced, CA metro area is $36,480 a year, or $17.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Merced, CA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Merced, CA metro area earn at least $49,860 a year. The top 25% earn $43,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Merced, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,830 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $35,230 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Merced, CA?
About 80 animal caretakers are employed in the Merced, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.