Animal Caretaker salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Animal Caretakers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $34,040 a year ($16.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,430 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is about the same as the North Dakota statewide median of $34,040. There are 2.6 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| 25th percentile | $30,710 | $14.77 |
| Median | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| 75th percentile | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| Average (mean) | $37,610 | $18.08 |
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 | $2,836.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,418.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,309.23 |
| Weekly | $654.62 |
| Hourly | $16.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $37,850 | 250 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $36,780 | 2,760 |
| Minot, ND | $35,780 | 50 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $35,390 | 140 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,900 | 180 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,320 | 50 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $34,300 | 420 |
| Bismarck, ND | $34,230 | 170 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $33,410 | 120 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $28,780 | 230 |
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 Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $30,030 | $14.44 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,050 | $13.49 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,570 | $18.06 |
| Gambling Dealer | $19,240 | $9.25 |
| Recreation Worker | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Residential Advisor | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| Skincare Specialist | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $34,270 | $16.48 |
| Barber | $48,810 | $23.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers | $51,180 | $24.61 |
| Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners | $28,620 | $13.76 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Fargo, ND-MN
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $34,040 a year, or $16.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $61,430 a year. The top 25% earn $36,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,670 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $30,710 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 390 animal caretakers are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.