Animal Caretaker salary in Rochester, MN
Animal Caretakers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $37,850 a year ($18.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,040 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 4% higher than the Minnesota statewide median of $36,430. There are 2.0 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,440 | $14.16 |
| 25th percentile | $32,390 | $15.57 |
| Median | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 75th percentile | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,040 | $27.42 |
| Average (mean) | $41,120 | $19.77 |
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 | $3,154.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,577.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,455.77 |
| Weekly | $727.88 |
| Hourly | $18.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,850 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $36,780 | 2,760 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $35,390 | 140 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,900 | 180 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,320 | 50 |
| 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 Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $40,460 | $19.45 |
| Recreation Worker | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Residential Advisor | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $37,510 | $18.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Skincare Specialist | $57,420 | $27.61 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, 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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Rochester, MN metro area is $37,850 a year, or $18.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $57,040 a year. The top 25% earn $48,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,440 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $32,390 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Rochester, MN?
About 250 animal caretakers are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.