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Pet care associate salary
Average pet care associate salary
$35,635
Average Pet Care Associate Salary
The average salary for a Pet Care Associate is $35,635 per year, or approximately $17 per hour. This compensation can vary significantly depending on factors such as location, work environment, and experience level. Pet Care Associates typically work in diverse settings, including pet stores, grooming salons, and veterinary clinics, where they take on responsibilities like feeding, grooming, and providing basic care for animals.
Where Can a Pet Care Associate Earn More?
Some states offer higher salaries for Pet Care Associates. For instance, positions in states like California and New York tend to pay more due to the higher cost of living and demand for pet care services. Understanding the geographical salary differences is crucial for maximizing your earning potential in this industry.
Salary by Experience Level
As you gain experience in the field, your earning potential can increase. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while those with several years of experience can earn significantly more. This increase reflects not only skill enhancement but also the ability to take on additional responsibilities, such as training new staff or managing a pet care facility.
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Where can a Pet Care Associate earn more?
Pet care associate salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level pet care associate | $30,300 | $14.56 |
| Mid-level pet care associate | $34,600 | $16.63 |
| Senior-level pet care associate | $39,100 | $18.78 |
Pet care associate salary estimates from across the web
Average pet care associate salary by state
The average pet care associate salary in Oregon, California, and Idaho are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average pet care associate salary states are Alabama, Ohio, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for pet care associates
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $41,610 | $20.00 |
| 2 | Oregon | $46,363 | $22.29 |
| 3 | Nevada | $38,462 | $18.49 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $40,685 | $19.56 |
| 5 | Kentucky | $40,399 | $19.42 |
| 6 | Maine | $37,925 | $18.23 |
| 7 | Idaho | $41,963 | $20.17 |
| 8 | Washington | $41,356 | $19.88 |
| 9 | Arizona | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $36,336 | $17.47 |
| 12 | Delaware | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| 13 | California | $43,404 | $20.87 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $36,541 | $17.57 |
| 15 | South Dakota | $35,368 | $17.00 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $40,308 | $19.38 |
| 17 | Illinois | $35,535 | $17.08 |
| 18 | Utah | $37,322 | $17.94 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $37,513 | $18.04 |
| 20 | Iowa | $34,697 | $16.68 |
| 21 | Alaska | $39,955 | $19.21 |
| 22 | Missouri | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $35,265 | $16.95 |
| 24 | Michigan | $32,489 | $15.62 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $33,423 | $16.07 |
| 26 | Vermont | $34,967 | $16.81 |
| 27 | New York | $37,824 | $18.18 |
| 28 | Montana | $32,219 | $15.49 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $33,581 | $16.14 |
| 30 | Kansas | $34,025 | $16.36 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $34,426 | $16.55 |
| 32 | Colorado | $35,053 | $16.85 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $31,880 | $15.33 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $34,113 | $16.40 |
| 35 | Mississippi | $30,355 | $14.59 |
| 36 | Indiana | $33,751 | $16.23 |
| 37 | District of Columbia | $35,482 | $17.06 |
| 38 | Maryland | $32,414 | $15.58 |
| 39 | Connecticut | $33,050 | $15.89 |
| 40 | Ohio | $27,085 | $13.02 |
| 41 | New Jersey | $33,268 | $15.99 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $27,519 | $13.23 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $30,526 | $14.68 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $28,447 | $13.68 |
| 45 | Virginia | $29,499 | $14.18 |
| 46 | Alabama | $27,488 | $13.22 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $25,403 | $12.21 |
| 48 | Florida | $28,066 | $13.49 |
| 49 | Georgia | $24,925 | $11.98 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $26,299 | $12.64 |
| 51 | Texas | $26,243 | $12.62 |
Highest paying cities for pet care associates
The highest-paying cities for pet care associates are Minneapolis, MN, Chesterfield, MO, and Waukesha, WI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $38,555 | $18.54 |
| 2 | Chesterfield, MO | $33,994 | $16.34 |
| 3 | Waukesha, WI | $33,386 | $16.05 |
| 4 | Winston-Salem, NC | $32,509 | $15.63 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $25,816 | $12.41 |
Pet care associate salary details
A pet care associate's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $48,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a pet care associate's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $35,635 | $2,970 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying pet care associate jobs
The highest paying types of pet care associates are animal shelter worker, care associate, and pet groomer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Walker | $30,893 | $2,574 | $14.85 | 5,474 |
| Dog Sitter | $25,532 | $2,128 | $12.27 | 67,682 |
| Bather | $31,051 | $2,588 | $14.93 | 56,255 |
| Animation Internship | $31,922 | $2,660 | $15.35 | 47,148 |
| Animal Attendant | $26,394 | $2,199 | $12.69 | 53,000 |
| Kennel Attendant | $26,373 | $2,198 | $12.68 | 72,239 |
Top companies hiring pet care associates now:
Which companies pay pet care associates the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purr'n Pooch | $35,903 | $17.26 |
| 2 | NC.gov | $35,037 | $16.84 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Pet care associate salary trends
The average pet care associate salary has risen by $8,977 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average pet care associate earned $26,658 annually, but today, they earn $35,635 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for pet care associates over the last decade.
Compare pet care associate salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average pet care associate salary over time
Compare pet care associate salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Pet care associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,600 | $17.13 | +5.0% |
| 2025 | $33,900 | $16.28 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $32,500 | $15.61 | +3.4% |
| 2023 | $31,400 | $15.08 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $30,000 | $14.45 | +4.5% |
Recently added pet care associate salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of North Carolina | Wioa Pets Associate (Wake County)--Temporary Solutions | Raleigh, NC | 06/02/2025 | $41,740 |
| State of North Carolina | Wioa Pets Associate (Wake County)--Temporary Solutions | Raleigh, NC | 05/22/2025 | $41,740 |
| Sploot Veterinary Care | Pet Parent Experience Associate | Lakewood, CO | 05/22/2025 | $39,653 |
| Holiday Barn Pet Resorts | Pet Care and Boarding Associate | Glen Allen, VA | 05/12/2025 | $28,175 |
| Rice Village | Housekeeping | Pet Care Associate | Houston, TX | 04/25/2025 | $29,218 |
| Sploot Veterinary Care | Pet Parent Experience Associate | Denver, CO | 04/13/2025 | $39,653 |
| Holiday Barn Pet Resorts | Pet Care and Boarding Associate | Richmond, VA | 04/04/2025 | $28,175 |
| Splootveterinarycare | Pet Parent Experience Associate | Denver, CO | 03/26/2025 | $39,653 |
| Splootveterinarycare | Pet Parent Experience Associate | Chicago, IL | 03/26/2025 | $39,653 |
| State of North Carolina | Wioa Pets Associate (Cumberland County)--Temporary Solutions | Fayetteville, NC | 03/21/2025 | $41,740 |
Pet care associate salary FAQs
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