Animal Caretaker salary in Lafayette, LA
Animal Caretakers in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $26,330 a year ($12.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,710 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 6% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $27,910. There are 1.5 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,750 | $9.49 |
| 25th percentile | $21,910 | $10.53 |
| Median | $26,330 | $12.66 |
| 75th percentile | $28,620 | $13.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Average (mean) | $27,600 | $13.27 |
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 | $2,194.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,097.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,012.69 |
| Weekly | $506.35 |
| Hourly | $12.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $26,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $29,090 | 840 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $27,930 | 50 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $27,640 | 490 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $27,350 | 240 |
| Alexandria, LA | $27,060 | 70 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $26,960 | 300 |
| Monroe, LA | $26,530 | 100 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $26,160 | 90 |
| Hammond, LA | $23,820 | 40 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $23,700 | $11.40 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $32,910 | $15.82 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $20,520 | $9.87 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| Recreation Worker | $25,950 | $12.48 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| Skincare Specialist | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $33,940 | $16.32 |
| Concierge | $31,990 | $15.38 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, LA
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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $26,330 a year, or $12.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $35,710 a year. The top 25% earn $28,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,750 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $21,910 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Lafayette, LA?
About 280 animal caretakers are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.