Animal Caretaker salary in Louisiana
Animal Caretakers in Louisiana earn a median of $27,910 a year ($13.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,000 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $35,360. Louisiana ranks 50th of 51 states for animal caretakers pay. There are 1.4 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $29,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,600 | $10.39 |
| 25th percentile | $22,840 | $10.98 |
| Median | $27,910 | $13.42 |
| 75th percentile | $33,370 | $16.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,000 | $19.23 |
| Average (mean) | $29,840 | $14.35 |
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 | $2,325.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,162.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,073.46 |
| Weekly | $536.73 |
| Hourly | $13.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,910 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 cities in Louisiana
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Childcare Worker | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $22,680 | $10.90 |
| Recreation Worker | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $26,030 | $12.51 |
| Gambling Dealer | $17,760 | $8.54 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $28,170 | $13.55 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $33,060 | $15.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,750 | $13.34 |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $28,630 | $13.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $26,320 | $12.65 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for animal caretakers in Louisiana is $27,910 a year, or $13.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in Louisiana earn at least $40,000 a year. The top 25% earn $33,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,600 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $22,840 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Louisiana?
About 2,660 animal caretakers are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.