Animal Caretakers Pay Range in Kentucky
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$22,600
- 25th Percentile — Junior$27,860
- 50th Percentile — Median$30,720
- 75th Percentile — Senior$37,890
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$47,290
Half of Animal Caretakers in Kentucky earn more than $30,720. The top 10% make $47,290 or more, while entry-level workers start around $22,600.
Animal Caretakers in Kentucky: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Kentucky ranks 39th of 51 states for Animal Caretakers pay, at $34,070 per year (8.7% below the U.S. average of $37,300).
- 6,140 people work as Animal Caretakers in Kentucky — 2.3% of all U.S. Animal Caretakers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.79: Animal Caretakers jobs are more concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $22,600; the top 10% earn over $47,290.
- Hourly equivalent: $16.38 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $46,510.
- Among personal services jobs in Kentucky, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors pays the most ($46,580).
Animal Caretakers Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation
Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Animal Caretakers here earn $34,070 on average, placing the state 39th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $34,070 is roughly equivalent to $41,048 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kansas ($34,130), Arkansas ($34,110), Pennsylvania ($34,110) are the closest alternatives for Animal Caretakers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Personal Services Jobs in Kentucky
Related career salary benchmarks
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $46,580/yr Kentucky +36.7% vs this role
- Skincare Specialists $44,350/yr Kentucky +30.2% vs this role
- Manicurists and Pedicurists $44,140/yr Kentucky +29.6% vs this role
- Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists $41,390/yr Kentucky +21.5% vs this role
- Travel Guides $37,680/yr Kentucky +10.6% vs this role
- Recreation Workers $34,010/yr Kentucky 0.2% vs this role
- Childcare Workers $30,520/yr Kentucky 10.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Animal Caretakers salary in Kentucky?
The average Animal Caretakers salary in Kentucky is $34,070 per year (median $30,720), which is 8.7% below the national average of $37,300.
How does Kentucky rank for Animal Caretakers pay?
Kentucky ranks 39th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($46,510/yr).
How much do entry-level Animal Caretakers make in Kentucky?
The lowest-paid 10% of Animal Caretakers in Kentucky earn about $22,600 per year and the 25th percentile is $27,860.
How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Kentucky?
About $16.38 per hour, based on the $34,070 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Animal Caretakers work in Kentucky?
BLS counts 6,140 Animal Caretakers jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).
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