Animal Caretakers Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $35,880 +7.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.25
10th percentile $34,100
90th percentile $47,350
Employed locally 80
National median $33,470

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Animal Caretakers
in
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,100
    25th
    $34,660
    50th (median)
    $35,880
    75th
    $41,190
    90th
    $47,350

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 55% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 45% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $42,590
    Napa, CA $38,770
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,210
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $37,990
    Salinas, CA $37,920

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers $35,270
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $34,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers $33,280
    Recreation Workers $34,720
    Manicurists and Pedicurists $35,600
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $35,910

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Merced?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Merced, CA is $17.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.97 or more per hour.

    Is Merced above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Merced, CA is 7.2% 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $34,100 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,660.