Animal Caretaker salary in Washington
Animal Caretakers in Washington earn a median of $40,570 a year ($19.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,580 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $35,360. Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for animal caretakers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.9 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,100 | $17.36 |
| 25th percentile | $37,140 | $17.85 |
| Median | $40,570 | $19.51 |
| 75th percentile | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,580 | $31.05 |
| Average (mean) | $46,160 | $22.19 |
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 | $3,380.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,690.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,560.38 |
| Weekly | $780.19 |
| Hourly | $19.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Animal Caretaker salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $44,060 | 3,950 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $39,100 | 260 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $38,410 | 110 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $38,340 | 190 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $37,910 | 80 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $37,900 | 240 |
| Bellingham, WA | $37,650 | 230 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $37,650 | 410 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $37,370 | 2,240 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $36,690 | 70 |
| Yakima, WA | $35,650 | 110 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $34,330 | 50 |
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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Recreation Worker | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Gambling Dealer | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Childcare Worker | $41,680 | $20.04 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $41,010 | $19.71 |
| Skincare Specialist | $79,320 | $38.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,640 | $23.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $54,160 | $26.04 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for animal caretakers in Washington is $40,570 a year, or $19.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Washington?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in Washington earn at least $64,580 a year. The top 25% earn $48,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,100 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $37,140 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Washington?
About 6,620 animal caretakers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.