Animal Caretaker salary in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Animal Caretakers in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn a median of $28,780 a year ($13.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,720 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 5% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $30,160. There are 2.8 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,860 | $11.47 |
| 25th percentile | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| Median | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| 75th percentile | $34,830 | $16.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Average (mean) | $31,950 | $15.36 |
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 | $2,398.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,199.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,106.92 |
| Weekly | $553.46 |
| Hourly | $13.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $35,390 | 140 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,900 | 180 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,320 | 50 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $34,300 | 420 |
| Madison, WI | $34,160 | 1,240 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $34,040 | 390 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $33,410 | 120 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $31,120 | 90 |
| Wausau, WI | $30,430 | 70 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $30,410 | 160 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $30,270 | 1,550 |
| Green Bay, WI | $30,190 | 310 |
| Appleton, WI | $30,110 | 230 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $29,940 | 110 |
| Kenosha, WI | $29,740 | 110 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $29,520 | 110 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $29,440 | 140 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $28,810 | 70 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $30,730 | $14.77 |
| Recreation Worker | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $30,110 | $14.47 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| Skincare Specialist | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $26,690 | $12.83 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-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 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is $28,780 a year, or $13.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn at least $44,720 a year. The top 25% earn $34,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,860 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $27,850 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
About 230 animal caretakers are employed in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.