Animal Caretakers Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $30,640 -8.5% vs national
Median hourly $14.73
10th percentile $22,860
90th percentile $44,150
Employed locally 610
National median $33,470

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Animal Caretakers
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Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,860
    25th
    $28,110
    50th (median)
    $30,640
    75th
    $36,190
    90th
    $44,150

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 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
    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 Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers $30,280
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $27,660
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $48,890
    Recreation Workers $36,400
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $40,580
    Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers $29,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Durham, NC is $14.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.21 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Durham, NC is 8.5% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $22,860 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,110.