Animal Caretakers Salary in Salinas, CA

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

Median annual salary $37,920 +13.3% vs national
Median hourly $18.23
10th percentile $35,720
90th percentile $59,470
Employed locally 280
National median $33,470

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Animal Caretakers
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,720
    25th
    $36,680
    50th (median)
    $37,920
    75th
    $45,810
    90th
    $59,470

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 40% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 60% 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
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $37,650

    Related occupations in Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $37,690
    Childcare Workers $37,540
    Recreation Workers $36,370
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $46,630
    Manicurists and Pedicurists $35,530
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $38,330

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Salinas?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Salinas, CA is $18.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.48 or more per hour.

    Is Salinas above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Salinas, CA is 13.3% 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $35,720 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,680.