Animal Caretakers
Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.
Also called: Animal Care Attendant, Animal Care Giver (ACG), Animal Care Service Worker, Animal Care Specialist, Animal Care Taker, Animal Care Technician
Median pay
$35,360
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$27,250 – $50,060
People employed
266,910
Holland code
RSC
Realistic · Social · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 2.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 3.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 4.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 5.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 6.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 7.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Exposure to disease or infection
Animal Caretakers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What animal caretakers do
- 01Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
- 02Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
- 03Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
- 04Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
- 05Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
- 06Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from animal caretakers
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers89% · +8%
- Animal Control Workers81% · +29%
- Animal Breeders79% · +45%
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians78% · +34%
- Nursing Assistants77% · +20%
Change into animal caretakers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers89% · $38,150
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers76% · $33,580
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant75% · $35,360
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners75% · $35,510
- Orderlies75% · $38,290
Majors that lead here
- Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming
- Farrier Science
- Anthrozoology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.