Animal Caretaker salary in Mankato, MN
Animal Caretakers in the Mankato, MN metro area earn a median of $34,320 a year ($16.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,080 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 6% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $36,430. 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 $36,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Mankato, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,570 | $12.77 |
| 25th percentile | $30,710 | $14.76 |
| Median | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| 75th percentile | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| Average (mean) | $36,780 | $17.69 |
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 | $2,860 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,430 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,320 |
| Weekly | $660 |
| Hourly | $16.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $37,850 | 250 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $36,780 | 2,760 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $35,390 | 140 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,900 | 180 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $34,300 | 420 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $34,040 | 390 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $33,410 | 120 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $28,780 | 230 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Mankato, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $34,590 | $16.63 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Residential Advisor | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $52,450 | $25.21 |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $31,760 | $15.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,110 | $23.61 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Mankato, MN
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 Mankato, MN?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Mankato, MN metro area is $34,320 a year, or $16.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Mankato, MN?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Mankato, MN metro area earn at least $46,080 a year. The top 25% earn $35,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Mankato, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,570 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $30,710 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Mankato, MN?
About 50 animal caretakers are employed in the Mankato, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.