Animal Caretaker salary in Charleston, WV
Animal Caretakers in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $28,360 a year ($13.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,490 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 1% lower than the West Virginia statewide median of $28,550. There are 1.9 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,740 | $10.45 |
| 25th percentile | $23,140 | $11.12 |
| Median | $28,360 | $13.63 |
| 75th percentile | $31,040 | $14.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Average (mean) | $30,590 | $14.71 |
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 | $2,363.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,181.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,090.77 |
| Weekly | $545.38 |
| Hourly | $13.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,710 | 6,590 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $32,720 | 180 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $30,470 | 100 |
| Morgantown, WV | $29,890 | 110 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $28,910 | 130 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $28,110 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $28,060 | 180 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $27,850 | 70 |
| Beckley, WV | $27,760 | 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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $27,370 | $13.16 |
| Residential Advisor | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| Recreation Worker | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $39,090 | $18.79 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $25,670 | $12.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $40,620 | $19.53 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $26,630 | $12.80 |
| Funeral Attendant | $34,300 | $16.49 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Charleston, WV metro area is $28,360 a year, or $13.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $45,490 a year. The top 25% earn $31,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,740 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $23,140 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Charleston, WV?
About 200 animal caretakers are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.