Animal Caretaker salary in New York
Animal Caretakers in New York earn a median of $37,840 a year ($18.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,740 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $35,360. New York ranks 7th of 51 states for animal caretakers pay. There are 1.3 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $40,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| 25th percentile | $35,640 | $17.14 |
| Median | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| 75th percentile | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Average (mean) | $40,540 | $19.49 |
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 | $3,153.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,576.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,455.38 |
| Weekly | $727.69 |
| Hourly | $18.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Animal Caretaker salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,900 | 11,430 |
| Ithaca, NY | $36,930 | 100 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $48,790 | $23.46 |
| Childcare Worker | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Recreation Worker | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,090 | $22.64 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,660 | $16.66 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Concierge | $57,570 | $27.68 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $51,320 | $24.67 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for animal caretakers in New York is $37,840 a year, or $18.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in New York?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in New York earn at least $48,740 a year. The top 25% earn $43,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,800 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $35,640 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in New York?
About 12,470 animal caretakers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.