Animal Caretaker salary in Columbia, SC
Animal Caretakers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $30,720 a year ($14.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,820 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 2% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $31,280. There are 2.2 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,290 | $10.71 |
| 25th percentile | $26,660 | $12.82 |
| Median | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| 75th percentile | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| Average (mean) | $32,880 | $15.81 |
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 | $2,560 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,280 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,181.54 |
| Weekly | $590.77 |
| Hourly | $14.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $35,080 | 220 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $35,000 | 730 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $34,530 | 170 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $33,530 | 2,690 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $31,010 | 730 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $30,630 | 360 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $29,910 | 440 |
| Florence, SC | $29,210 | 70 |
| Sumter, SC | $27,180 | 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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $29,670 | $14.27 |
| Childcare Worker | $28,850 | $13.87 |
| Recreation Worker | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,870 | $22.05 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,710 | $14.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $22,400 | $10.77 |
| Funeral Attendant | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Concierge | $30,980 | $14.89 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $30,320 | $14.58 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $30,720 a year, or $14.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $44,820 a year. The top 25% earn $35,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,290 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $26,660 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Columbia, SC?
About 880 animal caretakers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.