Animal Caretakers Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $27,780 -17% vs national
Median hourly $13.35
10th percentile $21,840
90th percentile $38,910
Employed locally 300
National median $33,470

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Animal Caretakers
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Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,840
    25th
    $24,330
    50th (median)
    $27,780
    75th
    $33,310
    90th
    $38,910

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 46% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 54% 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 Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $23,200
    Childcare Workers $28,020
    Recreation Workers $30,300
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $36,920
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $33,610
    First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services $42,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Hickory?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Hickory, NC is $13.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.34 or more per hour.

    Is Hickory above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Hickory, NC is 17% 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 Hickory?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $21,840 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,330.