Animal Caretaker salary in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
Animal Caretakers in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn a median of $34,300 a year ($16.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,130 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 13% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $30,390. There are 2.4 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,710 | $13.80 |
| 25th percentile | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| Median | $34,300 | $16.49 |
| 75th percentile | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,130 | $25.06 |
| Average (mean) | $36,440 | $17.52 |
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 | $2,858.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,429.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,319.23 |
| Weekly | $659.62 |
| Hourly | $16.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $37,850 | 250 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $36,780 | 2,760 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $35,390 | 140 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,900 | 180 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,320 | 50 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $34,040 | 390 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $33,410 | 120 |
| Rapid City, SD | $32,090 | 270 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,880 | 130 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $28,780 | 230 |
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 Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $28,030 | $13.48 |
| Residential Advisor | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $30,130 | $14.49 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $41,440 | $19.92 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Recreation Worker | $40,050 | $19.26 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| Skincare Specialist | $31,580 | $15.18 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $36,120 | $17.37 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
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 Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is $34,300 a year, or $16.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn at least $52,130 a year. The top 25% earn $38,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,710 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $29,470 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
About 420 animal caretakers are employed in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.