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Pet caretaker vs pet sitter

The differences between pet caretakers and pet sitters 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 caretaker and a pet sitter. Additionally, a pet caretaker has an average salary of $30,478, which is higher than the $25,823 average annual salary of a pet sitter.

The top three skills for a pet caretaker include PET, administer medications and facility laundry. The most important skills for a pet sitter are PET, walkers, and clients homes.

Pet caretaker vs pet sitter overview

Pet CaretakerPet Sitter
Yearly salary$30,478$25,823
Hourly rate$14.65$12.41
Growth rate28%28%
Number of jobs19,78221,735
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age3232
Years of experience33

Pet caretaker vs pet sitter salary

Pet caretakers and pet sitters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pet CaretakerPet Sitter
Average salary$30,478$25,823
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $47,000Between $10,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-Newport, RI
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-CARE
Best paying industry-Non Profits

Differences between pet caretaker and pet sitter education

There are a few differences between a pet caretaker and a pet sitter in terms of educational background:

Pet CaretakerPet Sitter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorBiologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst

Pet caretaker vs pet sitter demographics

Here are the differences between pet caretakers' and pet sitters' demographics:

Pet CaretakerPet Sitter
Average age3232
Gender ratioMale, 29.4% Female, 70.6%Male, 19.7% Female, 80.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between pet caretaker and pet sitter duties and responsibilities

Pet caretaker example responsibilities.

  • Achieve detailed grooming including skin, ear, nail care, coat clips and dental care.
  • Walk/Exercise dogs and clean up after them (pet messes, spil food or water, clean kennels )
  • Provide daily pet care to animals, including: walking, grooming, trips to veterinarian, overnight care.
  • Assist in answering customer questions regarding grooming, scheduling grooming appointments and maintaining salon cleanliness and safety.
  • Create styles as requested by clients to include hand scissor jobs, breed trims and maintenance clips.

Pet sitter example responsibilities.

  • Help managed the company and train new walkers
  • Cat and dog feeding, medicine, dog walking, cleanup; 5 animals : 3 cats , 2 dogs.
  • Provide constant supervision and companionship for elopement risk and suicide precaution patients.
  • Provide care for dogs, fish, cats, bunnies, birds, snakes, hamsters and most other household pets.
  • Execute cash register POS system.
  • Specialize in extra TLC for elderly pets.
  • Show more

Pet caretaker vs pet sitter skills

Common pet caretaker skills
  • PET, 80%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Facility Laundry, 3%
  • Coats, 2%
  • Food Intake, 2%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 2%
Common pet sitter skills
  • PET, 90%
  • Walkers, 2%
  • Clients Homes, 2%
  • CPR, 1%
  • Topical Medications, 1%
  • Litter Boxes, 1%

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