Animal Caretaker salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Animal Caretakers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $30,540 a year ($14.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,320 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 1% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $30,310. There are 2.1 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,410 | $11.74 |
| 25th percentile | $28,490 | $13.70 |
| Median | $30,540 | $14.68 |
| 75th percentile | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,320 | $27.08 |
| Average (mean) | $35,460 | $17.05 |
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 | $2,545 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,272.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,174.62 |
| Weekly | $587.31 |
| Hourly | $14.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio 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 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $34,590 | 2,400 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $31,200 | 60 |
| Akron, OH | $31,190 | 520 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $31,170 | 180 |
| Columbus, OH | $30,920 | 2,100 |
| Toledo, OH | $30,870 | 590 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,830 | 1,640 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,440 | 2,810 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $30,390 | 230 |
| Cleveland, OH | $30,220 | 1,690 |
| Springfield, OH | $29,890 | 110 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $29,730 | 120 |
| Bloomington, IN | $29,720 | 170 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $29,680 | 100 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $29,540 | 120 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $29,510 | 160 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $29,510 | 380 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $29,490 | 260 |
| Mansfield, OH | $29,450 | 50 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $29,430 | 230 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $29,400 | 530 |
| Evansville, IN | $29,390 | 340 |
| Owensboro, KY | $29,070 | 70 |
| Sandusky, OH | $28,970 | 70 |
| Columbus, IN | $28,960 | 80 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $28,910 | 130 |
| Kokomo, IN | $28,750 | 50 |
| Lima, OH | $28,630 | 70 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $28,580 | 300 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $34,030 | $16.36 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,650 | $13.29 |
| Recreation Worker | $29,880 | $14.36 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Childcare Worker | $30,150 | $14.50 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| Skincare Specialist | $43,570 | $20.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $42,130 | $20.26 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Funeral Attendant | $34,960 | $16.81 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $30,540 a year, or $14.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $56,320 a year. The top 25% earn $36,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,410 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $28,490 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 2,320 animal caretakers are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.