Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Laboratory animal caretaker salary
Average laboratory animal caretaker salary
$12.77
Understanding the Laboratory Animal Caretaker Salary
The average salary for a Laboratory Animal Caretaker in the United States is around $26,564 per year or $13 per hour. This figure can vary based on multiple factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry of employment.
In general, caretakers working in research facilities or pharmaceutical companies tend to earn higher salaries compared to those in educational institutions or non-profit organizations. For example, states like California and Massachusetts often report higher average salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.
Salary by State
Salary estimates by state reveal significant differences, with states like California, New York, and Massachusetts offering some of the highest compensation packages for laboratory animal caretakers. Conversely, states with lower living costs may offer lower salaries but also provide opportunities to grow within the role.
Job Opportunities
Those pursuing a career as a laboratory animal caretaker can find roles in various settings, including universities, research institutions, and private companies. Gaining experience through internships or volunteer work can enhance job prospects and salary potential.
Let Zippi find your next laboratory animal caretaker job
Let Zippi find your next laboratory animal caretaker job
Where can a Laboratory Animal Caretaker earn more?
Laboratory animal caretaker salary estimates from across the web
Average laboratory animal caretaker salary by state
The average laboratory animal caretaker salary in North Dakota, Alaska, and Maryland are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average laboratory animal caretaker salary states are Texas, Louisiana, and Hawaii.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for laboratory animal caretakers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $32,217 | $15.49 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $35,394 | $17.02 |
| 3 | Vermont | $32,087 | $15.43 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $32,032 | $15.40 |
| 5 | Alaska | $34,764 | $16.71 |
| 6 | Maryland | $32,269 | $15.51 |
| 7 | Michigan | $29,623 | $14.24 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $30,738 | $14.78 |
| 9 | Maine | $30,215 | $14.53 |
| 10 | Nebraska | $31,076 | $14.94 |
| 11 | Washington | $30,103 | $14.47 |
| 12 | New York | $30,264 | $14.55 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $28,047 | $13.48 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $30,447 | $14.64 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $28,403 | $13.66 |
| 16 | Oregon | $30,123 | $14.48 |
| 17 | Iowa | $27,296 | $13.12 |
| 18 | Utah | $29,412 | $14.14 |
| 19 | Idaho | $28,191 | $13.55 |
| 20 | California | $29,655 | $14.26 |
| 21 | Illinois | $30,046 | $14.45 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $28,307 | $13.61 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $25,262 | $12.15 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $25,970 | $12.49 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $26,576 | $12.78 |
| 26 | Florida | $26,683 | $12.83 |
| 27 | Connecticut | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| 28 | Arizona | $26,110 | $12.55 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $27,394 | $13.17 |
| 30 | Missouri | $27,658 | $13.30 |
| 31 | Colorado | $27,975 | $13.45 |
| 32 | Indiana | $25,987 | $12.49 |
| 33 | Montana | $25,487 | $12.25 |
| 34 | Nevada | $24,739 | $11.89 |
| 35 | Ohio | $24,526 | $11.79 |
| 36 | Virginia | $26,768 | $12.87 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $23,864 | $11.47 |
| 38 | Rhode Island | $24,916 | $11.98 |
| 39 | Kansas | $22,453 | $10.79 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $23,567 | $11.33 |
| 41 | Alabama | $22,909 | $11.01 |
| 42 | Delaware | $24,109 | $11.59 |
| 43 | Texas | $22,035 | $10.59 |
| 44 | Hawaii | $21,731 | $10.45 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $22,909 | $11.01 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $20,688 | $9.95 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $20,966 | $10.08 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $22,019 | $10.59 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $20,677 | $9.94 |
| 50 | District of Columbia | $23,539 | $11.32 |
| 51 | Georgia | $22,584 | $10.86 |
Highest paying cities for laboratory animal caretakers
The highest-paying cities for laboratory animal caretakers are Baltimore, MD, Buffalo, NY, and Modesto, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore, MD | $32,436 | $15.59 |
| 2 | Buffalo, NY | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| 3 | Modesto, CA | $30,377 | $14.60 |
| 4 | State College, PA | $28,176 | $13.55 |
| 5 | Miami, FL | $26,651 | $12.81 |
| 6 | Madison, WI | $26,409 | $12.70 |
| 7 | Bloomington, IN | $25,104 | $12.07 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $23,537 | $11.32 |
| 9 | Overland Park, KS | $22,694 | $10.91 |
| 10 | College Station, TX | $21,939 | $10.55 |
Laboratory animal caretaker salary details
A laboratory animal caretaker's salary ranges from $19,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $36,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a laboratory animal caretaker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 75th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| Average | $26,564 | $2,214 | $13 |
| 25th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
| 10th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
Highest paying laboratory animal caretaker jobs
The highest paying types of laboratory animal caretakers are veterinarian assistant, avian keeper, and vet assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennel Technician | $26,664 | $2,222 | $12.82 | 30,123 |
| Kennel Attendant | $26,373 | $2,198 | $12.68 | 72,239 |
| Animal Care Technician | $29,617 | $2,468 | $14.24 | 96,973 |
Top companies hiring laboratory animal caretakers now:
Which companies pay laboratory animal caretakers the most?
Laboratory animal caretaker salaries at Charles River Center and ASPCA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average laboratory animal caretaker salary at companies like Children's National Medical Center and US Meat Animal Research Center are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles River Center | $32,960 | $15.85 |
| 2 | ASPCA | $29,394 | $14.13 |
| 3 | Children's National Medical Center | $28,068 | $13.49 |
| 4 | US Meat Animal Research Center | $27,811 | $13.37 |
| 5 | University of Georgia Small Business Development Center | $27,294 | $13.12 |
| 6 | PSEA | $27,292 | $13.12 |
| 7 | Jeffersonville Parks Department | $27,252 | $13.10 |
| 8 | Sinclair Research | $27,211 | $13.08 |
| 9 | Acres | $27,209 | $13.08 |
| 10 | University at Buffalo | $27,035 | $13.00 |
| 11 | Iowa Select Farms | $26,987 | $12.97 |
| 12 | Temple University | $26,802 | $12.89 |
| 13 | Alaka`ina Foundation Family Of Companies | $26,447 | $12.71 |
| 14 | Seaboard | $24,076 | $11.57 |
| 15 | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | $24,060 | $11.57 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Laboratory Animal Caretaker salary by industry
The average laboratory animal caretaker salary varies across industries:
- The average laboratory animal caretaker salary in the government industry is $28,695, the highest of any industry.
- The average laboratory animal caretaker salary in the finance industry is $28,542.
- Laboratory animal caretakers in the pharmaceutical industry earn an average salary of $26,675, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for laboratory animal caretakers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government | $28,695 | $13.80 |
| 2 | Non Profits | $28,542 | $13.72 |
| 3 | Education | $28,362 | $13.64 |
| 4 | Health Care | $28,285 | $13.60 |
| 5 | Agriculture | $27,099 | $13.03 |
| 6 | Manufacturing | $26,848 | $12.91 |
| 7 | Pharmaceutical | $26,675 | $12.82 |
High paying laboratory animal caretaker jobs
Laboratory animal caretaker salary trends
The average laboratory animal caretaker salary has risen by $6,302 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average laboratory animal caretaker earned $20,262 annually, but today, they earn $26,564 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for laboratory animal caretakers over the last decade.
Compare laboratory animal caretaker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average laboratory animal caretaker salary over time
Compare laboratory animal caretaker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Laboratory animal caretaker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $26,600 | $12.77 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $25,400 | $12.20 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $24,400 | $11.75 | +5.1% |
| 2022 | $23,200 | $11.15 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $22,400 | $10.77 | +3.5% |
Recently added laboratory animal caretaker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daybreak Foods | Animal Caretaker | Estherville, IA | 06/25/2025 | $36,168 |
| Department of Agriculture | Animal Caretaker | Athens, GA | 06/25/2025 | $44,203 |
| Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe | Animal Caretaker | Truckee, CA | 06/20/2025 | $54,262 |
| Suny Upstate Medical University | Laboratory Animal Caretaker | Syracuse, NY | 05/29/2025 | $34,312 |
| Daybreak Foods | Animal Caretaker | Otsego, MI | 05/15/2025 | $36,168 |
| Iowa Select Farms Lllp | Sow Farm Animal Caretaker | Lenox, IA | 05/05/2025 | $41,740 |
| Daybreak Foods | Animal Caretaker | Johnstown, OH | 05/03/2025 | $36,168 |
| Iowa Select Farms Lllp | Sow Farm Animal Caretaker | Webster City, IA | 04/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Iowa Select Farms Lllp | Sow Farm Animal Caretaker | Britt, IA | 04/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| The City of Oklahoma City | Animal Caretaker-Aquatics | Cole, OK | 04/23/2025 | $33,246 |
Laboratory animal caretaker salary FAQs
Search for laboratory animal caretaker jobs