Animal Caretaker salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Animal Caretakers in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn a median of $27,690 a year ($13.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,430 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 2% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $28,330. There are 3.6 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $30,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,050 | $10.60 |
| 25th percentile | $25,470 | $12.25 |
| Median | $27,690 | $13.31 |
| 75th percentile | $30,440 | $14.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Average (mean) | $30,620 | $14.72 |
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 | $2,307.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,153.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,065 |
| Weekly | $532.50 |
| Hourly | $13.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,690 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $29,480 | 330 |
| Huntsville, AL | $29,110 | 480 |
| Birmingham, AL | $28,710 | 1,400 |
| Decatur, AL | $28,650 | 90 |
| Mobile, AL | $28,560 | 310 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $27,650 | 130 |
| Montgomery, AL | $27,410 | 260 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $27,390 | 200 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $26,910 | 130 |
| Dothan, AL | $26,730 | 150 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $23,700 | 60 |
| Gadsden, AL | $23,590 | 30 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $21,050 | $10.12 |
| Recreation Worker | $23,720 | $11.40 |
| Residential Advisor | $31,790 | $15.28 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $38,490 | $18.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Childcare Worker | $22,640 | $10.88 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Auburn-Opelika, AL
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 Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area is $27,690 a year, or $13.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn at least $46,430 a year. The top 25% earn $30,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,050 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $25,470 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
About 260 animal caretakers are employed in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.