Animal Caretaker salary in Tucson, AZ
Animal Caretakers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $36,870 a year ($17.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,280 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 3% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $38,180. 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 $41,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| 25th percentile | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Median | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| 75th percentile | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Average (mean) | $41,980 | $20.18 |
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 | $3,072.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,536.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,418.08 |
| Weekly | $709.04 |
| Hourly | $17.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $39,030 | 4,480 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $38,180 | 150 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $36,270 | 200 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $35,260 | 80 |
| Yuma, AZ | $35,110 | 100 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $34,290 | 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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| Childcare Worker | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $30,870 | $14.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Gambling Dealer | $54,420 | $26.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $44,190 | $21.24 |
| Residential Advisor | $40,770 | $19.60 |
| Skincare Specialist | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers | $67,130 | $32.28 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $36,870 a year, or $17.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $63,280 a year. The top 25% earn $44,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,560 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $34,880 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Tucson, AZ?
About 950 animal caretakers are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.