Animal Caretaker salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Animal Caretakers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $32,950 a year ($15.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,600 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 7% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $35,570. There are 1.6 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| 75th percentile | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Average (mean) | $35,590 | $17.11 |
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 | $2,745.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,372.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,267.31 |
| Weekly | $633.65 |
| Hourly | $15.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,110 | 8,510 |
| Springfield, IL | $34,160 | 150 |
| Rockford, IL | $32,720 | 240 |
| Peoria, IL | $32,010 | 300 |
| Decatur, IL | $31,670 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $31,530 | 3,100 |
| Bloomington, IL | $31,280 | 150 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 290 |
| Kankakee, IL | $31,200 | 70 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $31,200 | 60 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,890 | 120 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,610 | $15.20 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Residential Advisor | $51,400 | $24.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $42,110 | $20.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Skincare Specialist | $49,440 | $23.77 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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 Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $32,950 a year, or $15.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $41,600 a year. The top 25% earn $34,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $31,200 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 170 animal caretakers are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.