Animal Caretakers Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $36,090 +7.8% vs national
Median hourly $17.35
10th percentile $33,770
90th percentile $47,020
Employed locally 2,220
National median $33,470

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Animal Caretakers
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,770
    25th
    $34,920
    50th (median)
    $36,090
    75th
    $40,870
    90th
    $47,020

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 42% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 58% 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 Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Manicurists and Pedicurists $33,770
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $34,130
    Childcare Workers $37,020
    Recreation Workers $36,160
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $47,200
    Gambling Dealers $33,280

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Riverside, CA is $17.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.44 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Riverside, CA is 7.8% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $33,770 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,920.