Animal Caretaker salary in St. Cloud, MN
Animal Caretakers in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn a median of $35,390 a year ($17.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,260 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 3% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $36,430. There are 1.3 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $36,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in St. Cloud, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,160 | $13.06 |
| 25th percentile | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Median | $35,390 | $17.01 |
| 75th percentile | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Average (mean) | $36,060 | $17.34 |
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 | $2,949.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,474.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,361.15 |
| Weekly | $680.58 |
| Hourly | $17.01 |
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 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,900 | 180 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,320 | 50 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $34,300 | 420 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $34,040 | 390 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $33,410 | 120 |
| 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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Cloud, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $34,030 | $16.36 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,520 | $15.15 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Skincare Specialist | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $48,580 | $23.36 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in St. Cloud, 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 St. Cloud, MN?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the St. Cloud, MN metro area is $35,390 a year, or $17.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in St. Cloud, MN?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn at least $47,260 a year. The top 25% earn $37,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in St. Cloud, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,160 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $29,640 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in St. Cloud, MN?
About 140 animal caretakers are employed in the St. Cloud, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.