How much does an animal caretaker make in Des Moines?
$30,950a year
Median yearly pay for animal caretakers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $14.88 an hour or $2,579 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.88
- Vs. national median
- -12%
- Rank among cities
- 204 of 385
- Jobs in the area
- 920
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,770Median: $30,950Highest 10%: $47,470
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,770 | $11.43 | |
| 25th | $28,960 | $13.92 | |
| Median | $30,950 | $14.88 | |
| 75th | $35,370 | $17.00 | |
| 90th | $47,470 | $22.82 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for animal caretakers.
| Ames, IA | $38,700 |
| Iowa City, IA | $33,510 |
| Omaha, NE | $32,980 |
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Sioux City, IA | $29,880 |
| Waterloo, IA | $29,870 |
| Dubuque, IA | $29,420 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,190 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Mortician | $70,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Worker | $42,040 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Worker | $38,920 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,730 |
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $38,700 |
| Residential Advisor | $38,310 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,150 |
| Hairdresser | $35,640 |
| Personal Care and Service Worker | $30,700 |
| Childcare Worker | $29,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an animal caretaker make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $14.88 ($30,950 a year).
Do animal caretakers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $30,950 against $35,360 nationally, 12% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $30,080, so Des Moines pays 3% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for animal caretaker pay?
204 of 385 metro areas with data.
How much does an animal caretaker make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,770 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,470 or more.
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.