Animal Caretaker salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Animal Caretakers in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $32,980 a year ($15.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,980 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 4% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $31,680. There are 2.6 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| 25th percentile | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Median | $32,980 | $15.85 |
| 75th percentile | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,980 | $28.36 |
| Average (mean) | $39,380 | $18.94 |
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 | $2,748.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,374.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,268.46 |
| Weekly | $634.23 |
| Hourly | $15.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Nebraska 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $38,700 | 190 |
| Iowa City, IA | $33,510 | 300 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 290 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $30,950 | 920 |
| Lincoln, NE | $30,940 | 420 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,880 | 130 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $29,870 | 470 |
| Dubuque, IA | $29,420 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,190 | 340 |
| Grand Island, NE | $28,990 | 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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Childcare Worker | $31,330 | $15.06 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $32,910 | $15.82 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| Recreation Worker | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| Skincare Specialist | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners | $30,610 | $14.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers | $56,200 | $27.02 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $32,980 a year, or $15.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $58,980 a year. The top 25% earn $44,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,760 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $29,390 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 1,280 animal caretakers are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.