Animal Caretaker salary in Rochester, NY
Animal Caretakers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $34,950 a year ($16.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,270 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 8% lower than the New York statewide median of $37,840. There are 1.5 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $32,290 | $15.52 |
| Median | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| 75th percentile | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,270 | $21.76 |
| Average (mean) | $37,160 | $17.87 |
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 | $2,912.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,456.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,344.23 |
| Weekly | $672.12 |
| Hourly | $16.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,900 | 11,430 |
| Ithaca, NY | $36,930 | 100 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $36,360 | 540 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $35,890 | 80 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $35,640 | 880 |
| Syracuse, NY | $35,500 | 470 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $35,460 | 180 |
| Kingston, NY | $35,090 | 150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $34,840 | 800 |
| Elmira, NY | $34,280 | 50 |
| Binghamton, NY | $33,880 | 130 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $33,810 | 60 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Childcare Worker | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,250 | $15.50 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $32,760 | $15.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $33,250 | $15.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,500 | $22.36 |
| Skincare Specialist | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Concierge | $39,600 | $19.04 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $39,940 | $19.20 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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, NY?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Rochester, NY metro area is $34,950 a year, or $16.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $45,270 a year. The top 25% earn $36,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $32,290 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Rochester, NY?
About 730 animal caretakers are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.