BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Animal Caretakers in West Virginia

$31,550 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$15.17 per hour

▼ 15.4% below U.S. average47th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$31,550per year
Median$28,550per year
Hourly$15.17per hour
10th – 90th percentile$22,050 – $44,810per year

Animal Caretakers Pay Range in West Virginia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$22,050
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$25,220
  • 50th Percentile — Median$28,550
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$34,400
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$44,810

Half of Animal Caretakers in West Virginia earn more than $28,550. The top 10% make $44,810 or more, while entry-level workers start around $22,050.

Animal Caretakers in West Virginia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • West Virginia ranks 47th of 51 states for Animal Caretakers pay, at $31,550 per year (15.4% below the U.S. average of $37,300).
  • 1,160 people work as Animal Caretakers in West Virginia — 0.4% of all U.S. Animal Caretakers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.96: Animal Caretakers jobs are less concentrated in West Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $22,050; the top 10% earn over $44,810.
  • Hourly equivalent: $15.17 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $46,510.
  • Among personal services jobs in West Virginia, Skincare Specialists pays the most ($41,720).

Animal Caretakers Job Market in West Virginia

Key factors affecting compensation

West Virginia's key industries are Energy, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated low. Animal Caretakers here earn $31,550 on average, placing the state 47th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.78 (U.S. = 1.00), a West Virginia salary of $31,550 is roughly equivalent to $40,449 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Carolina ($33,640), Iowa ($32,900), Georgia ($32,250) 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 West Virginia?

The average Animal Caretakers salary in West Virginia is $31,550 per year (median $28,550), which is 15.4% below the national average of $37,300.

How does West Virginia rank for Animal Caretakers pay?

West Virginia ranks 47th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($46,510/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Animal Caretakers in West Virginia earn about $22,050 per year and the 25th percentile is $25,220.

How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in West Virginia?

About $15.17 per hour, based on the $31,550 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Animal Caretakers work in West Virginia?

BLS counts 1,160 Animal Caretakers jobs in West Virginia (OEWS May 2025).

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