Animal Caretaker salary in Wheeling, WV-OH
Animal Caretakers in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn a median of $28,910 a year ($13.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,320 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 1% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $28,550. There are 2.3 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,420 | $10.78 |
| 25th percentile | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| Median | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| 75th percentile | $32,890 | $15.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| Average (mean) | $31,260 | $15.03 |
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 | $2,409.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,204.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,111.92 |
| Weekly | $555.96 |
| Hourly | $13.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,710 | 6,590 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $32,720 | 180 |
| Akron, OH | $31,190 | 520 |
| Columbus, OH | $30,920 | 2,100 |
| Toledo, OH | $30,870 | 590 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,540 | 2,320 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $30,470 | 100 |
| Cleveland, OH | $30,220 | 1,690 |
| Morgantown, WV | $29,890 | 110 |
| Springfield, OH | $29,890 | 110 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $29,490 | 260 |
| Mansfield, OH | $29,450 | 50 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $29,400 | 530 |
| Sandusky, OH | $28,970 | 70 |
| Lima, OH | $28,630 | 70 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $28,580 | 300 |
| Charleston, WV | $28,360 | 200 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $28,110 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $28,060 | 180 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $27,850 | 70 |
| Beckley, WV | $27,760 | 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 |
See Animal Caretaker pay in every state or the West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| Recreation Worker | $31,050 | $14.93 |
| Childcare Worker | $29,110 | $14.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $24,650 | $11.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Residential Advisor | $34,790 | $16.72 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $24,960 | $12.00 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Wheeling, WV-OH
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 Wheeling, WV-OH?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area is $28,910 a year, or $13.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Wheeling, WV-OH?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn at least $37,320 a year. The top 25% earn $32,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Wheeling, WV-OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,420 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $27,420 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Wheeling, WV-OH?
About 130 animal caretakers are employed in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.