BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Animal Caretakers in Arkansas

$34,110 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$16.4 per hour

▼ 8.6% below U.S. average36th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$34,110per year
Median$30,230per year
Hourly$16.4per hour
10th – 90th percentile$27,290 – $47,990per year

Animal Caretakers Pay Range in Arkansas

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$27,290
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$28,580
  • 50th Percentile — Median$30,230
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$35,210
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$47,990

Half of Animal Caretakers in Arkansas earn more than $30,230. The top 10% make $47,990 or more, while entry-level workers start around $27,290.

Animal Caretakers in Arkansas: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Arkansas ranks 36th of 51 states for Animal Caretakers pay, at $34,110 per year (8.6% below the U.S. average of $37,300).
  • 2,040 people work as Animal Caretakers in Arkansas — 0.8% of all U.S. Animal Caretakers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.91: Animal Caretakers jobs are less concentrated in Arkansas than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,290; the top 10% earn over $47,990.
  • Hourly equivalent: $16.4 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $46,510.
  • Among personal services jobs in Arkansas, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors pays the most ($42,310).

Animal Caretakers Job Market in Arkansas

Key factors affecting compensation

Arkansas's key industries are Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated moderate. Animal Caretakers here earn $34,110 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Arkansas salary of $34,110 is roughly equivalent to $41,096 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nevada ($34,400), Wisconsin ($34,330), Wyoming ($34,150) are the closest alternatives for Animal Caretakers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Animal Caretakers salary in Arkansas?

The average Animal Caretakers salary in Arkansas is $34,110 per year (median $30,230), which is 8.6% below the national average of $37,300.

How does Arkansas rank for Animal Caretakers pay?

Arkansas ranks 36th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($46,510/yr).

How much do entry-level Animal Caretakers make in Arkansas?

The lowest-paid 10% of Animal Caretakers in Arkansas earn about $27,290 per year and the 25th percentile is $28,580.

How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Arkansas?

About $16.4 per hour, based on the $34,110 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Animal Caretakers work in Arkansas?

BLS counts 2,040 Animal Caretakers jobs in Arkansas (OEWS May 2025).

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