Animal Caretaker salary in Traverse City, MI
Animal Caretakers in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn a median of $31,970 a year ($15.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,490 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 5% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $30,320. There are 1.2 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $34,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Traverse City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,710 | $13.81 |
| 25th percentile | $29,340 | $14.11 |
| Median | $31,970 | $15.37 |
| 75th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Average (mean) | $34,610 | $16.64 |
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 | $2,664.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,332.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,229.62 |
| Weekly | $614.81 |
| Hourly | $15.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $33,520 | 320 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $31,940 | 80 |
| Saginaw, MI | $31,200 | 110 |
| Flint, MI | $31,110 | 200 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $31,040 | 2,800 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $30,670 | 390 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $30,390 | 230 |
| Midland, MI | $30,220 | 50 |
| Niles, MI | $29,870 | 140 |
| Monroe, MI | $29,820 | 60 |
| Jackson, MI | $29,810 | 70 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $29,710 | 160 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $29,630 | 680 |
| Bay City, MI | $29,340 | 30 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $28,560 | 160 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Traverse City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| Childcare Worker | $33,100 | $15.91 |
| Recreation Worker | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $42,010 | $20.20 |
| Residential Advisor | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,990 | $16.82 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Traverse City, MI
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 Traverse City, MI?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $31,970 a year, or $15.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Traverse City, MI?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn at least $45,490 a year. The top 25% earn $37,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Traverse City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,710 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $29,340 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Traverse City, MI?
About 80 animal caretakers are employed in the Traverse City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.