Animal Caretaker salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Animal Caretakers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $29,430 a year ($14.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,030 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 2% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $29,990. There are 2.2 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,500 | $10.34 |
| 25th percentile | $23,240 | $11.17 |
| Median | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| 75th percentile | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| Average (mean) | $31,010 | $14.91 |
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 | $2,452.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,226.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,131.92 |
| Weekly | $565.96 |
| Hourly | $14.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,110 | 8,510 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,830 | 1,640 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,540 | 2,320 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,440 | 2,810 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $30,390 | 230 |
| Bloomington, IN | $29,720 | 170 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $29,680 | 100 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $29,540 | 120 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $29,510 | 380 |
| Evansville, IN | $29,390 | 340 |
| Columbus, IN | $28,960 | 80 |
| Kokomo, IN | $28,750 | 50 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,770 | 80 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $27,280 | 130 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $31,270 | $15.04 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Recreation Worker | $30,640 | $14.73 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,620 | $12.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Residential Advisor | $43,650 | $20.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Skincare Specialist | $47,140 | $22.66 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $29,430 a year, or $14.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $45,030 a year. The top 25% earn $34,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,500 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $23,240 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 230 animal caretakers are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.