Animal Caretaker salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Animal Caretakers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $33,960 a year ($16.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,350 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 10% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $30,870. There are 1.8 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,530 | $11.79 |
| 25th percentile | $29,110 | $14.00 |
| Median | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| 75th percentile | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| Average (mean) | $35,790 | $17.21 |
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 | $2,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,415 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,306.15 |
| Weekly | $653.08 |
| Hourly | $16.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in North 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | $33,530 | 570 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $33,530 | 2,690 |
| Burlington, NC | $33,010 | 80 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $32,400 | 1,650 |
| Greenville, NC | $31,550 | 180 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $31,130 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $30,870 | 1,990 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $30,700 | 670 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $30,460 | 250 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $30,340 | 430 |
| Wilmington, NC | $29,520 | 610 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $29,310 | 230 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $29,070 | 230 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28,520 | 60 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $28,200 | 150 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| Recreation Worker | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| Childcare Worker | $30,970 | $14.89 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Residential Advisor | $56,170 | $27.00 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $55,050 | $26.46 |
| Skincare Specialist | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $34,370 | $16.52 |
| Funeral Attendant | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $63,450 | $30.51 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $33,960 a year, or $16.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $50,350 a year. The top 25% earn $37,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,530 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $29,110 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 600 animal caretakers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.