Animal Caretakers Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $31,550 -5.7% vs national
Median hourly $15.17
10th percentile $22,460
90th percentile $46,470
Employed locally 980
National median $33,470

Compare Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

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Animal Caretakers
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,460
    25th
    $28,090
    50th (median)
    $31,550
    75th
    $36,400
    90th
    $46,470

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 38% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 62% 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
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $35,460
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $34,640
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $33,920
    Spartanburg, SC $30,430
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $29,890

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers$29,590
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants$29,030
    Recreation Workers$37,680
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$33,430
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$45,770
    Tour and Travel Guides$35,360

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Charleston, SC is $15.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.92 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Charleston, SC is 5.7% 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 Charleston?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $22,460 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,090.