Animal Caretaker salary in Richmond, VA
Animal Caretakers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $33,710 a year ($16.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,770 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 2% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $34,380. There are 2.3 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,150 | $13.53 |
| 25th percentile | $29,080 | $13.98 |
| Median | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| 75th percentile | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,770 | $22.48 |
| Average (mean) | $35,130 | $16.89 |
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 | $2,809.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,404.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,296.54 |
| Weekly | $648.27 |
| Hourly | $16.21 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,710 | 6,590 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $35,190 | 370 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $31,980 | 140 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $30,870 | 1,990 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $30,470 | 100 |
| Roanoke, VA | $30,060 | 350 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $29,290 | 150 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $28,940 | 120 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $28,800 | 220 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $28,160 | 160 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Childcare Worker | $33,570 | $16.14 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $39,110 | $18.80 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Recreation Worker | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,860 | $13.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| Skincare Specialist | $35,370 | $17.01 |
| Concierge | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $37,350 | $17.96 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $33,710 a year, or $16.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $46,770 a year. The top 25% earn $36,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,150 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $29,080 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Richmond, VA?
About 1,540 animal caretakers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.