How much does an animal caretaker make in California?
$38,700a year
Median yearly pay for animal caretakers in California. That is $18.61 an hour or $3,225 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.61
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among states
- 5 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 25,710
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,640Median: $38,700Highest 10%: $56,270
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,640 | $17.13 | |
| 25th | $36,810 | $17.70 | |
| Median | $38,700 | $18.61 | |
| 75th | $45,160 | $21.71 | |
| 90th | $56,270 | $27.05 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $44,070 |
| San Francisco, CA | $43,640 |
| El Centro, CA | $40,880 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $39,870 |
| Vallejo, CA | $39,520 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $38,840 |
| Napa, CA | $38,750 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $38,520 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,320 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $38,280 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $37,970 |
| Salinas, CA | $37,960 |
| San Diego, CA | $37,870 |
| Sacramento, CA | $37,780 |
| Hanford, CA | $37,340 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,300 |
| Stockton, CA | $37,120 |
| Riverside, CA | $37,050 |
| Redding, CA | $36,900 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $36,660 |
| Oxnard, CA | $36,620 |
| Merced, CA | $36,480 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,430 |
| Visalia, CA | $36,150 |
| Chico, CA | $35,990 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for animal caretakers.
| 2. Washington | $40,570 |
| 3. Hawaii | $40,130 |
| 4. Massachusetts | $39,650 |
| 5. California | $38,700 |
| 6. Arizona | $38,180 |
| 7. New York | $37,840 |
| 8. Colorado | $37,430 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an animal caretaker make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $18.61 ($38,700 a year).
Do animal caretakers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $38,700 against $35,360 nationally, 9% more.
Where does California rank for animal caretaker pay?
California ranks 5 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays animal caretakers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $44,070 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.