Animal Caretaker salary in Dubuque, IA
Animal Caretakers in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median of $29,420 a year ($14.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,070 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $30,080. There are 1.3 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $30,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Dubuque, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,040 | $11.08 |
| 25th percentile | $23,690 | $11.39 |
| Median | $29,420 | $14.14 |
| 75th percentile | $31,280 | $15.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Average (mean) | $30,660 | $14.74 |
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 | $2,451.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,225.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,131.54 |
| Weekly | $565.77 |
| Hourly | $14.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $38,700 | 190 |
| Iowa City, IA | $33,510 | 300 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $32,980 | 1,280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 290 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $30,950 | 920 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,880 | 130 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $29,870 | 470 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,190 | 340 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dubuque, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $31,730 | $15.25 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,110 | $13.03 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $44,210 | $21.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Gambling Dealer | $24,290 | $11.68 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Dubuque, IA
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 Dubuque, IA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $29,420 a year, or $14.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Dubuque, IA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn at least $37,070 a year. The top 25% earn $31,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Dubuque, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,040 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $23,690 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Dubuque, IA?
About 80 animal caretakers are employed in the Dubuque, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.