Animal Caretaker salary in Lake Charles, LA
Animal Caretakers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $26,160 a year ($12.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,250 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 0.93 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $28,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,430 | $10.31 |
| 25th percentile | $22,420 | $10.78 |
| Median | $26,160 | $12.58 |
| 75th percentile | $30,150 | $14.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Average (mean) | $28,380 | $13.64 |
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 | $2,180 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,090 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,006.15 |
| Weekly | $503.08 |
| Hourly | $12.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $26,160 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 |
| Lafayette, LA | $26,330 | 280 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Dealer | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,600 | $12.79 |
| Childcare Worker | $21,820 | $10.49 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $23,840 | $11.46 |
| Recreation Worker | $26,370 | $12.68 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,700 | $12.36 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $39,760 | $19.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $51,380 | $24.70 |
| Skincare Specialist | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $36,260 | $17.43 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $26,160 a year, or $12.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $37,250 a year. The top 25% earn $30,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,430 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $22,420 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 90 animal caretakers are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.