Animal Caretakers Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $27,700 -17.2% vs national
Median hourly $13.32
10th percentile $22,560
90th percentile $39,370
Employed locally 640
National median $33,470

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Animal Caretakers
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Wilmington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,560
    25th
    $26,750
    50th (median)
    $27,700
    75th
    $33,230
    90th
    $39,370

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $42,590
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $36,050
    Anchorage, AK $35,380
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $34,950
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $34,930
    Grand Junction, CO $31,200

    Related occupations in Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $21,980
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $35,090
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $44,470
    Childcare Workers $28,050
    Recreation Workers $34,390
    First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services $47,080

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Wilmington?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Wilmington, NC is $13.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.10 or more per hour.

    Is Wilmington above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Wilmington, NC is 17.2% below 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $22,560 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,750.