Animal Caretaker salary in Bellingham, WA
Animal Caretakers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn a median of $37,650 a year ($18.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,970 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 7% lower than the Washington statewide median of $40,570. There are 2.5 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Bellingham, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| 25th percentile | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Median | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| 75th percentile | $46,850 | $22.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Average (mean) | $43,390 | $20.86 |
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 | $3,137.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,568.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,448.08 |
| Weekly | $724.04 |
| Hourly | $18.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $44,060 | 3,950 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $39,100 | 260 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $38,410 | 110 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $38,340 | 190 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $37,910 | 80 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $37,900 | 240 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $37,650 | 410 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $37,370 | 2,240 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $36,690 | 70 |
| Yakima, WA | $35,650 | 110 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $34,330 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bellingham, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Recreation Worker | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Childcare Worker | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Gambling Dealer | $37,410 | $17.98 |
| Skincare Specialist | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $61,990 | $29.80 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Bellingham, WA
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 Bellingham, WA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Bellingham, WA metro area is $37,650 a year, or $18.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Bellingham, WA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn at least $59,970 a year. The top 25% earn $46,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Bellingham, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,920 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $36,860 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Bellingham, WA?
About 230 animal caretakers are employed in the Bellingham, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.