Animal Caretaker salary in Paducah, KY-IL
Animal Caretakers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn a median of $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,060 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 2% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $30,720. There are 1.1 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $34,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Paducah, KY-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,850 | $10.51 |
| 25th percentile | $28,840 | $13.87 |
| Median | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 75th percentile | $38,410 | $18.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| Average (mean) | $34,560 | $16.61 |
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 | $2,600 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,300 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,200 |
| Weekly | $600 |
| Hourly | $15.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,200 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,110 | 8,510 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $34,590 | 2,400 |
| Springfield, IL | $34,160 | 150 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $32,950 | 170 |
| Rockford, IL | $32,720 | 240 |
| Peoria, IL | $32,010 | 300 |
| Decatur, IL | $31,670 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $31,530 | 3,100 |
| Bloomington, IL | $31,280 | 150 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 290 |
| Kankakee, IL | $31,200 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $31,170 | 180 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,830 | 1,640 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,540 | 2,320 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,890 | 120 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $29,730 | 120 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $29,510 | 160 |
| Owensboro, KY | $29,070 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $28,060 | 180 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Paducah, KY-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $26,800 | $12.89 |
| Recreation Worker | $28,380 | $13.64 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $28,350 | $13.63 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $23,730 | $11.41 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Paducah, KY-IL
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 Paducah, KY-IL?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $31,200 a year, or $15.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn at least $50,060 a year. The top 25% earn $38,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Paducah, KY-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,850 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $28,840 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Paducah, KY-IL?
About 60 animal caretakers are employed in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.