Animal Caretakers Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $33,750 +0.8% vs national
Median hourly $16.23
10th percentile $31,200
90th percentile $42,890
Employed locally 920
National median $33,470

Compare Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

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Animal Caretakers
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Buffalo, NY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,200
    25th
    $31,490
    50th (median)
    $33,750
    75th
    $35,980
    90th
    $42,890

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 48% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 52% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $43,670
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $36,670
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $36,300
    Ithaca, NY $36,220
    Kingston, NY $36,140
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $35,460

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers $34,240
    Recreation Workers $32,130
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $33,360
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $31,200
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $42,850
    Manicurists and Pedicurists $31,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Buffalo, NY is $16.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.09 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Buffalo, NY is 0.8% above 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 Buffalo?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $31,200 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,490.