Animal Caretaker salary in Modesto, CA
Animal Caretakers in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $38,320 a year ($18.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,610 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 1% lower than the California statewide median of $38,700. There are 1.4 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| 25th percentile | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Median | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| 75th percentile | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,610 | $26.74 |
| Average (mean) | $42,120 | $20.25 |
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 | $3,193.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,596.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,473.85 |
| Weekly | $736.92 |
| Hourly | $18.42 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Merced, CA | $36,480 | 80 |
| 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 Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Childcare Worker | $41,920 | $20.16 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,890 | $16.78 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Funeral Attendant | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Residential Advisor | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Concierge | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $48,650 | $23.39 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Modesto, CA metro area is $38,320 a year, or $18.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $55,610 a year. The top 25% earn $44,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,920 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $36,580 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Modesto, CA?
About 280 animal caretakers are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.