Animal Caretakers Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $36,930 +10.3% vs national
Median hourly $17.76
10th percentile $35,380
90th percentile $48,220
Employed locally 360
National median $33,470

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Animal Caretakers
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,380
    25th
    $35,680
    50th (median)
    $36,930
    75th
    $43,780
    90th
    $48,220

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 38% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 62% 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 Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $54,480
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $34,970
    Recreation Workers $37,130
    Childcare Workers $36,060
    First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services $49,650
    Manicurists and Pedicurists $34,760

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Santa Maria, CA is $17.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.21 or more per hour.

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

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Santa Maria, CA is 10.3% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $35,380 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,680.