EN

Occupation · SOC 39-2021

Animal Caretakers

There are 266,910 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $35,360 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Personal Care & ServiceTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
266,910
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$35,360
Median pay a year
Middle half: $29,820–$40,050
62,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +12.1%
1
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
0 in the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 385 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $37,900 · LCA filings 011,430$37,9000
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $38,520 · LCA filings 09,000$38,5200
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $36,110 · LCA filings 08,510$36,1100
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $37,710 · LCA filings 06,590$37,7100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $34,310 · LCA filings 06,110$34,3100
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $30,090 · LCA filings 06,010$30,0900
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $39,850 · LCA filings 05,590$39,8500
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $34,970 · LCA filings 05,480$34,9700
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $30,930 · LCA filings 04,650$30,9300
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $39,030 · LCA filings 04,480$39,0300

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$46,270900
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 1,090 · LCA filings 0$44,0701,0900
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 3,950 · LCA filings 0$44,0603,9500
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 3,440 · LCA filings 0$43,6403,4400
Barnstable Town, MAEmployment 250 · LCA filings 0$43,5402500

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $38,189 · Level III $41,454 · Level IV $44,720$34,923$38,189$41,454$44,720
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $38,896 · Level III $41,683 · Level IV $44,470$36,109$38,896$41,683$44,470
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $35,984 · Level III $39,686 · Level IV $43,389$32,282$35,984$39,686$43,389
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $36,546 · Level III $40,872 · Level IV $45,178$32,240$36,546$40,872$45,178
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $32,406 · Level III $37,794 · Level IV $43,160$27,040$32,406$37,794$43,160
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $28,746 · Level III $32,718 · Level IV $36,670$24,794$28,746$32,718$36,670
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $39,541 · Level III $45,178 · Level IV $50,835$33,883$39,541$45,178$50,835
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $33,114 · Level III $37,294 · Level IV $41,475$28,933$33,114$37,294$41,475
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $29,827 · Level III $34,590 · Level IV $39,333$25,085$29,827$34,590$39,333
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $40,498 · Level III $45,989 · Level IV $51,480$35,006$40,498$45,989$51,480

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Agricultural and Domestic Animal ServicesCIP 01.05OPT · up to 12 months10OPT · up to 12 months
Animal SciencesCIP 01.09STEM OPT · up to 36 months276STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Animal Caretakers in every metro area

All 385 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Personal Care & Service

Childcare WorkersAmusement and Recreation AttendantsHairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsExercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsRecreation WorkersUshers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersManicurists and PedicuristsResidential Advisors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology