Pet care associate vs animal caregiver

The differences between pet care associates and animal caregivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-3 months to become both a pet care associate and an animal caregiver. Additionally, a pet care associate has an average salary of $35,635, which is higher than the $27,665 average annual salary of an animal caregiver.

The top three skills for a pet care associate include PET, customer service and sales floor. The most important skills for an animal caregiver are pigs, PET, and animal handling.

Pet care associate vs animal caregiver overview

	Pet Care Associate	Animal Caregiver
Yearly salary	$35,635	$27,665
Hourly rate	$17.13	$13.30
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	84,256	57,251
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	32	32
Years of experience	3	3

What does a pet care associate do?

Pet care associates, though holding a small position, will find its scope much larger than one would initially expect. This position requires an individual with gentleness, patience, confidence, carefulness, diligence, and a hard-working attitude. Paying out at around $33K per year, those who choose this career will be required to help customers with questions and issues related to small mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds.

What does an animal caregiver do?

An animal caretaker is primarily in charge of the welfare and safety of animals in a particular area. They may work at veterinary shops and clinics, private institutions, kennels, animal shelters, and even zoos. Although their responsibilities vary on the animals and their place of employment, it typically includes feeding, bathing, grooming, exercising, and petting. There are also instances where they must clean and sanitize cages, prepare meals, administer vitamins and medication, and monitor their behavior.

Pet care associate vs animal caregiver salary

Pet care associates and animal caregivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pet Care Associate	Animal Caregiver
Average salary	$35,635	$27,665
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $48,000	Between $20,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	Minneapolis, MN	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	Purr'n Pooch	-
Best paying industry	Retail	-

Differences between pet care associate and animal caregiver education

There are a few differences between a pet care associate and an animal caregiver in terms of educational background:

	Pet Care Associate	Animal Caregiver
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Northwestern University	Stanford University

Pet care associate vs animal caregiver demographics

Here are the differences between pet care associates' and animal caregivers' demographics:

	Pet Care Associate	Animal Caregiver
Average age	32	32
Gender ratio	Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2%	Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 2.6% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between pet care associate and animal caregiver duties and responsibilities

Pet care associate example responsibilities.

Achieve detailed grooming including skin, ear, nail care, coat clips and dental care.
Prepare foods for various animals to include reptiles, snakes, hamsters, and birds etc.
Communicate with customers about events/concerns in which include their pet.
Assist patients in meeting their personal care needs and provide individualized interventions while encouraging patient involvement and promoting independence.
Used touch point and SMS and can quickly adapt to other computer software's.

Animal caregiver example responsibilities.

Assist in managing shelter for animals and arranging for adoption or euthanasia of confiscate animals.
Educate pet owners about illnesses, medications, and general care, and answer their questions and concerns.
Walk all dogs, and occasionally strange animals such as pigs.
Create neighborhood service providing in-home pet care including; leash walks, off leash socials, and cat care.
Assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants in providing the best care possible for patients.
Provide routine grooming including brushing and clipping claws.

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Pet care associate vs animal caregiver skills

Common pet care associate skills

PET, 55%
Customer Service, 21%
Sales Floor, 4%
Quality Care, 3%
Administer Medications, 2%
Fish Tanks, 2%

Common animal caregiver skills

Pigs, 51%
PET, 19%
Animal Handling, 5%
Animal Shelter, 3%
General Care, 3%
Facility Laundry, 2%

Pet Care Associate vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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