Animal Caretaker salary in Ames, IA
Animal Caretakers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $38,700 a year ($18.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,010 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 29% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $30,080. There are 3.5 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,160 | $12.10 |
| 25th percentile | $31,340 | $15.07 |
| Median | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| 75th percentile | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,010 | $26.93 |
| Average (mean) | $39,820 | $19.14 |
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 | $3,225 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,612.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,488.46 |
| Weekly | $744.23 |
| Hourly | $18.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Animal Caretaker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $33,510 | 300 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $32,980 | 1,280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 290 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $30,950 | 920 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,880 | 130 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $29,870 | 470 |
| Dubuque, IA | $29,420 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,190 | 340 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| Recreation Worker | $31,110 | $14.96 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,100 | $13.03 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $43,830 | $21.07 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
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 Ames, IA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Ames, IA metro area is $38,700 a year, or $18.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $56,010 a year. The top 25% earn $47,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,160 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $31,340 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Ames, IA?
About 190 animal caretakers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.