Animal Caretakers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $37,650 +12.5% vs national
Median hourly $18.10
10th percentile $35,470
90th percentile $50,700
Employed locally 210
National median $33,470

Compare Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

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Animal Caretakers
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,470
    25th
    $35,890
    50th (median)
    $37,650
    75th
    $44,950
    90th
    $50,700

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 34% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 66% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $34,690
    Childcare Workers $36,170
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $52,510
    Recreation Workers $37,020
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $39,790
    First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services $53,340

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Santa Cruz, CA is $18.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.56 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 12.5% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $35,470 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,890.