Animal Caretakers Salary in Asheville, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Asheville, NC

Median annual salary $28,870 -13.7% vs national
Median hourly $13.88
10th percentile $22,430
90th percentile $43,660
Employed locally 800
National median $33,470

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Animal Caretakers
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Asheville, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,430
    25th
    $27,250
    50th (median)
    $28,870
    75th
    $34,400
    90th
    $43,660

    Asheville economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,236 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 42% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 58% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Animal Caretakers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area $49,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $43,670
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $42,590
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $39,460
    Napa, CA $38,770
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $38,420

    Nearby metros — Animal Caretakers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $42,590
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $36,050
    Anchorage, AK $35,380
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $34,950
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $34,930
    Grand Junction, CO $31,200

    Related occupations in Asheville, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $49,040
    Childcare Workers $32,730
    Recreation Workers $35,690
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $26,120
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $36,660
    Tour and Travel Guides $35,800

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Asheville?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Asheville, NC is $13.88, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.25 or more per hour.

    Is Asheville above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Asheville, NC is 13.7% below the national median of $33,470. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Animal Caretakers in Asheville?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $22,430 per year in Asheville, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,250.