Animal Caretaker salary in Waco, TX
Animal Caretakers in the Waco, TX metro area earn a median of $31,540 a year ($15.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,640 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 4% lower than the Texas statewide median of $32,730. There are 1.4 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Waco, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,690 | $10.91 |
| 25th percentile | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Median | $31,540 | $15.17 |
| 75th percentile | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,640 | $22.91 |
| Average (mean) | $35,260 | $16.95 |
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 | $2,628.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,314.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,213.08 |
| Weekly | $606.54 |
| Hourly | $15.17 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Odessa, TX | $35,500 | 40 |
| Abilene, TX | $35,480 | 120 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $35,040 | 2,510 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $34,310 | 6,110 |
| Midland, TX | $33,670 | 110 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $33,000 | 160 |
| Laredo, TX | $32,890 | 70 |
| San Angelo, TX | $32,220 | 90 |
| El Paso, TX | $31,190 | 520 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $30,930 | 4,650 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $30,420 | 2,120 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $29,590 | 70 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $29,380 | 250 |
| Tyler, TX | $29,210 | 160 |
| Amarillo, TX | $29,180 | 220 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $29,100 | 150 |
| Lubbock, TX | $29,030 | 240 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $28,970 | 290 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $28,970 | 250 |
| Victoria, TX | $28,850 | 70 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $28,850 | 70 |
| Longview, TX | $28,450 | 110 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $28,290 | 150 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $28,220 | 40 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waco, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $26,760 | $12.87 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $22,560 | $10.85 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $29,110 | $14.00 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,580 | $16.14 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Residential Advisor | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| Skincare Specialist | $60,460 | $29.07 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Waco, TX
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 Waco, TX?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Waco, TX metro area is $31,540 a year, or $15.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Waco, TX?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Waco, TX metro area earn at least $47,640 a year. The top 25% earn $38,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Waco, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,690 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $27,250 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Waco, TX?
About 190 animal caretakers are employed in the Waco, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.