Animal Caretaker salary in Missoula, MT
Animal Caretakers in the Missoula, MT metro area earn a median of $33,760 a year ($16.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,450 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 1% lower than the Montana statewide median of $34,210. There are 2.3 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Missoula, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,240 | $14.06 |
| 25th percentile | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Median | $33,760 | $16.23 |
| 75th percentile | $43,770 | $21.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,450 | $23.30 |
| Average (mean) | $36,720 | $17.65 |
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 | $2,813.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,406.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,298.46 |
| Weekly | $649.23 |
| Hourly | $16.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $37,580 | 190 |
| Billings, MT | $34,890 | 220 |
| Great Falls, MT | $31,910 | 100 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Missoula, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,120 | $21.69 |
| Recreation Worker | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners | $22,580 | $10.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $23,180 | $11.14 |
| Skincare Specialist | $53,320 | $25.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Residential Advisor | $53,250 | $25.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $50,290 | $24.18 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Missoula, MT
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 Missoula, MT?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Missoula, MT metro area is $33,760 a year, or $16.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Missoula, MT?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Missoula, MT metro area earn at least $48,450 a year. The top 25% earn $43,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Missoula, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,240 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $30,720 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Missoula, MT?
About 150 animal caretakers are employed in the Missoula, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.