Animal Caretaker salary in Rockford, IL
Animal Caretakers in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median of $32,720 a year ($15.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,000 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 8% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $35,570. There are 1.8 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Rockford, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| 75th percentile | $35,470 | $17.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Average (mean) | $35,280 | $16.96 |
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 | $2,726.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,363.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,258.46 |
| Weekly | $629.23 |
| Hourly | $15.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
| Springfield, IL | $34,160 | 150 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $32,950 | 170 |
| 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 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $31,200 | 60 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,890 | 120 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $33,560 | $16.14 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Recreation Worker | $32,980 | $15.85 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $40,470 | $19.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Skincare Specialist | $57,720 | $27.75 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Rockford, 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 Rockford, IL?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Rockford, IL metro area is $32,720 a year, or $15.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Rockford, IL?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Rockford, IL metro area earn at least $43,000 a year. The top 25% earn $35,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Rockford, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $31,200 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Rockford, IL?
About 240 animal caretakers are employed in the Rockford, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.