Animal Caretaker salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Animal Caretakers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $29,190 a year ($14.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,910 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 3% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $30,080. There are 2.4 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,080 | $10.61 |
| 25th percentile | $25,700 | $12.36 |
| Median | $29,190 | $14.04 |
| 75th percentile | $34,100 | $16.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| Average (mean) | $31,210 | $15.00 |
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 | $2,432.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,216.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,122.69 |
| Weekly | $561.35 |
| Hourly | $14.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,190 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $38,700 | 190 |
| 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 |
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 Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $23,640 | $11.36 |
| Childcare Worker | $28,170 | $13.54 |
| Recreation Worker | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Skincare Specialist | $43,810 | $21.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $70,280 | $33.79 |
| Residential Advisor | $35,620 | $17.12 |
| Funeral Attendant | $40,060 | $19.26 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $24,600 | $11.83 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $29,190 a year, or $14.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $36,910 a year. The top 25% earn $34,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,080 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $25,700 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 340 animal caretakers are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.