Animal Caretaker salary in Salinas, CA
Animal Caretakers in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $37,960 a year ($18.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,230 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 2% lower than the California statewide median of $38,700. There are 1.3 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $43,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| 25th percentile | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Median | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| 75th percentile | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,230 | $28.48 |
| Average (mean) | $43,490 | $20.91 |
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 | $3,163.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,581.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,460 |
| Weekly | $730 |
| Hourly | $18.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $44,070 | 1,090 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $43,640 | 3,440 |
| El Centro, CA | $40,880 | 40 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $39,870 | 200 |
| Vallejo, CA | $39,520 | 230 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $38,840 | 600 |
| Napa, CA | $38,750 | 100 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $38,520 | 9,000 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,320 | 280 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $38,280 | 270 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $37,970 | 380 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $37,870 | 3,030 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,780 | 1,510 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $37,340 | 50 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,300 | 60 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $37,120 | 300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $37,050 | 2,170 |
| Redding, CA | $36,900 | 160 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $36,660 | 310 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $36,620 | 520 |
| Merced, CA | $36,480 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,430 | 540 |
| Visalia, CA | $36,150 | 120 |
| Chico, CA | $35,990 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Childcare Worker | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $57,060 | $27.44 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Skincare Specialist | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Concierge | $43,210 | $20.78 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants | $54,880 | $26.38 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
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 Salinas, CA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Salinas, CA metro area is $37,960 a year, or $18.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $59,230 a year. The top 25% earn $45,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,130 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $36,900 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Salinas, CA?
About 240 animal caretakers are employed in the Salinas, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.