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Animal Caretakers in California

Want to work as an Animal Caretakers in California? Below are the key facts. Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks. Excludes “Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers” (31-9096) and “Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals” (45-2093).

What do Animal Caretakers Make in California?

The animal caretakers working in California, wages run about $37,200 per year (or roughly $17.88/hour).Annual wages span from $34,420 at the 10th percentile to $48,150 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$34,420	$16.55
25th percentile	$35,700	$17.16
Median (50th)	$37,200	$17.88
75th percentile	$43,270	$20.80
90th percentile	$48,150	$23.15

The job concentration index in California relative to the national average — is 0.81, suggesting fewer animal caretakers per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, animal caretakers earn a median of $22,332 per year ($10.74/hour), higher than the California median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 123,831 animal caretakers across the United States. In California alone, around 26,200 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 3,750 animal caretakers.

Top California Metros for Animal Caretakers

The largest metro-area employers of animal caretakers in California.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	8,880	$36,730
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	3,520	$42,590
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	3,060	$36,460
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	2,220	$36,090
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	1,540	$36,850
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	1,180	$43,670
Fresno, CA	650	$35,790
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	630	$38,210
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	560	$35,600
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	360	$36,930
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	320	$35,040
Stockton-Lodi, CA	300	$35,650
Modesto, CA	290	$36,400
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	290	$37,150
Salinas, CA	280	$37,920
Vallejo, CA	250	$37,430
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	210	$37,650
Chico, CA	180	$34,720
Redding, CA	130	$35,360
Visalia, CA	120	$35,280
Napa, CA	110	$38,770
Merced, CA	80	$35,880
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	70	$35,820
Yuba City, CA	70	$37,250
El Centro, CA	50	$35,980

Top States for Animal Caretakers Employment

These states have the highest employment of animal caretakers work.

State	Number Employed
California	26,200
Texas	22,690
Florida	17,610
New York	11,970
North Carolina	10,810
Illinois	10,660
Pennsylvania	10,330
Ohio	9,750
Georgia	9,620
Virginia	9,610
Massachusetts	7,470
Tennessee	7,000
Kentucky	6,980
Missouri	6,570
Colorado	6,530
Michigan	6,480
Maryland	6,380
Washington	6,320
Indiana	6,200
New Jersey	6,010

Highest-Paying States for Animal Caretakers

The highest-paying states for animal caretakers.

State	Annual Median Salary
Washington	$38,400
District of Columbia	$37,980
California	$37,200
Massachusetts	$36,910
New York	$36,500
Connecticut	$36,330
Maine	$36,310
Maryland	$35,990
Vermont	$35,600
Alaska	$35,570

Skills

Key animal caretakers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for animal caretakers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
• Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
• Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
• Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
• Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
• Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
• Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
• Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
• Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
• Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health.
• Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
• Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Processing Information

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access

Related Careers

Careers similar to animal caretakers include:

• Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
• Animal Scientists
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers
• Veterinarians
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Also Known As

Animal Care Attendant, Animal Care Giver (ACG), Animal Care Service Worker, Animal Care Specialist, Animal Care Taker, Animal Care Technician, Animal Caregiver, Animal Caretaker, Animal Daycare Provider, Animal Feeder, Animal Groomer, Animal Handler, Animal Health Technician, Animal Keeper, Animal Nursery Worker.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 39-2021.00