Animal Caretaker salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Animal Caretakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $36,110 a year ($17.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,770 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 2% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $35,570. There are 1.9 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $34,160 | $16.42 |
| Median | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 75th percentile | $38,030 | $18.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,770 | $26.81 |
| Average (mean) | $39,720 | $19.10 |
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 | $3,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,504.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,388.85 |
| Weekly | $694.42 |
| Hourly | $17.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,110 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $34,160 | 150 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $32,950 | 170 |
| 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 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,830 | 1,640 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,540 | 2,320 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,440 | 2,810 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $30,390 | 230 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,890 | 120 |
| Bloomington, IN | $29,720 | 170 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $29,680 | 100 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $29,540 | 120 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $29,510 | 380 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $29,430 | 230 |
| Evansville, IN | $29,390 | 340 |
| Columbus, IN | $28,960 | 80 |
| Kokomo, IN | $28,750 | 50 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,770 | 80 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $27,280 | 130 |
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $46,890 | $22.55 |
| Childcare Worker | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,390 | $23.27 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Gambling Dealer | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,240 | $23.67 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $40,390 | $19.42 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $36,110 a year, or $17.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $55,770 a year. The top 25% earn $38,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $34,160 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 8,510 animal caretakers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.