Animal Caretaker salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Animal Caretakers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $29,700 a year ($14.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,100 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 13% lower than the Florida statewide median of $34,150. There are 1.4 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| 25th percentile | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| Median | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| 75th percentile | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,100 | $21.68 |
| Average (mean) | $34,350 | $16.52 |
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 | $2,475 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,237.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,142.31 |
| Weekly | $571.15 |
| Hourly | $14.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $35,160 | 3,820 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $34,970 | 310 |
| Ocala, FL | $34,930 | 600 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $34,830 | 3,020 |
| Gainesville, FL | $34,680 | 250 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $34,490 | 2,400 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $33,220 | 520 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $32,910 | 450 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $32,910 | 240 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $32,130 | 900 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $31,560 | 530 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $31,200 | 160 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $31,120 | 1,520 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $30,810 | 200 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $30,730 | 240 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $30,700 | 330 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $30,130 | 120 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $29,960 | 80 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $29,690 | 270 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $29,390 | 90 |
| Sebring, FL | $28,650 | 80 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $33,200 | $15.96 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $29,030 | $13.96 |
| Childcare Worker | $30,770 | $14.79 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,860 | $13.40 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $50,220 | $24.14 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Concierge | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $51,520 | $24.77 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $29,700 a year, or $14.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $45,100 a year. The top 25% earn $35,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,180 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $28,430 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 380 animal caretakers are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.