Animal Caretaker salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Animal Caretakers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $32,400 a year ($15.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,010 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 5% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $30,870. There are 2.2 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $34,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,350 | $11.71 |
| 25th percentile | $29,570 | $14.21 |
| Median | $32,400 | $15.58 |
| 75th percentile | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Average (mean) | $34,430 | $16.56 |
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 | $2,700 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,350 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,246.15 |
| Weekly | $623.08 |
| Hourly | $15.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $33,960 | 600 |
| Asheville, NC | $33,530 | 570 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $33,530 | 2,690 |
| Burlington, NC | $33,010 | 80 |
| Greenville, NC | $31,550 | 180 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $31,130 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $30,870 | 1,990 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $30,700 | 670 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $30,460 | 250 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $30,340 | 430 |
| Wilmington, NC | $29,520 | 610 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $29,310 | 230 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $29,070 | 230 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28,520 | 60 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $28,200 | 150 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Childcare Worker | $28,680 | $13.79 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Recreation Worker | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Skincare Specialist | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,340 | $18.92 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $33,210 | $15.97 |
| Concierge | $34,180 | $16.43 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $32,400 a year, or $15.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $46,010 a year. The top 25% earn $35,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,350 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $29,570 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 1,650 animal caretakers are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.