Animal Caretaker salary in Rapid City, SD
Animal Caretakers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $32,090 a year ($15.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,110 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $30,390. There are 3.7 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,020 | $13.47 |
| 25th percentile | $28,960 | $13.92 |
| Median | $32,090 | $15.43 |
| 75th percentile | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Average (mean) | $33,560 | $16.13 |
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 | $2,674.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,337.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,234.23 |
| Weekly | $617.12 |
| Hourly | $15.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $34,300 | 420 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,880 | 130 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Childcare Worker | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Recreation Worker | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $50,990 | $24.52 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,410 | $14.62 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $32,090 a year, or $15.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $44,110 a year. The top 25% earn $35,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,020 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $28,960 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Rapid City, SD?
About 270 animal caretakers are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.