Animal Caretaker salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Animal Caretakers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $31,530 a year ($15.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,730 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $31,230. There are 2.3 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $30,210 | $14.52 |
| Median | $31,530 | $15.16 |
| 75th percentile | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Average (mean) | $35,030 | $16.84 |
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 | $2,627.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,313.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,212.69 |
| Weekly | $606.35 |
| Hourly | $15.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
| Rockford, IL | $32,720 | 240 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $32,150 | 2,470 |
| Peoria, IL | $32,010 | 300 |
| Decatur, IL | $31,670 | 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 |
| Columbia, MO | $29,950 | 280 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,890 | 120 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $29,830 | 80 |
| Springfield, MO | $29,390 | 440 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $29,280 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,610 | 130 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Trainer | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Childcare Worker | $33,320 | $16.02 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $33,350 | $16.03 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,750 | $16.23 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $31,980 | $15.38 |
| Gambling Dealer | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $40,840 | $19.64 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $31,530 a year, or $15.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $46,730 a year. The top 25% earn $35,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $30,210 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 3,100 animal caretakers are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.