Animal Caretakers Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $29,620 -11.5% vs national
Median hourly $14.24
10th percentile $21,630
90th percentile $42,230
Employed locally 1,120
National median $33,470

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Animal Caretakers
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,630
    25th
    $24,600
    50th (median)
    $29,620
    75th
    $35,050
    90th
    $42,230

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 45% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 55% 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
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $31,550
    Spartanburg, SC $30,430

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers$28,410
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants$23,740
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$39,870
    Recreation Workers$30,550
    Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$27,090
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$29,400

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Columbia, SC is $14.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.55 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Columbia, SC is 11.5% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $21,630 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,600.