BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Animal Caretakers in Virginia

$36,070 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$17.34 per hour

▼ 3.3% below U.S. average25th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$36,070per year
Median$34,380per year
Hourly$17.34per hour
10th – 90th percentile$28,050 – $46,180per year

Animal Caretakers Pay Range in Virginia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$28,050
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$29,490
  • 50th Percentile — Median$34,380
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$38,120
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$46,180

Half of Animal Caretakers in Virginia earn more than $34,380. The top 10% make $46,180 or more, while entry-level workers start around $28,050.

Animal Caretakers in Virginia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Virginia ranks 25th of 51 states for Animal Caretakers pay, at $36,070 per year (3.3% below the U.S. average of $37,300).
  • 10,070 people work as Animal Caretakers in Virginia — 3.8% of all U.S. Animal Caretakers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.43: Animal Caretakers jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,050; the top 10% earn over $46,180.
  • Hourly equivalent: $17.34 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $46,510.
  • Among personal services jobs in Virginia, Barbers pays the most ($51,480).

Animal Caretakers Job Market in Virginia

Key factors affecting compensation

Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Animal Caretakers here earn $36,070 on average, placing the state 25th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $36,070 is roughly equivalent to $32,791 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Utah ($37,600), New Hampshire ($37,160), Florida ($36,820) 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 Virginia?

The average Animal Caretakers salary in Virginia is $36,070 per year (median $34,380), which is 3.3% below the national average of $37,300.

How does Virginia rank for Animal Caretakers pay?

Virginia ranks 25th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($46,510/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Animal Caretakers in Virginia earn about $28,050 per year and the 25th percentile is $29,490.

How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Virginia?

About $17.34 per hour, based on the $36,070 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Animal Caretakers work in Virginia?

BLS counts 10,070 Animal Caretakers jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).

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