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Job outlook for small animal caretakers in the United States
Are small animal caretaker jobs in demand?
Yes, small animal caretaker jobs are in demand. Small animal caretaker demand is projected to grow 28% from 2018 to 2028.
Small animal caretaker job and salary trends over time
Compare the number of small animal caretaker jobs and the average small animal caretaker salary over time.
Small animal caretaker jobs over time
Small animal caretaker job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 244 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 209 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 229 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 216 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 206 | 0.00% |
Average small animal caretaker salary over time
Small animal caretaker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,688 | $14.27 | +5.2% |
| 2024 | $28,208 | $13.56 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $27,047 | $13.00 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $26,125 | $12.56 | +4.4% |
| 2021 | $25,032 | $12.03 | +4.7% |
Small animal caretaker jobs by state
The map below shows you the number of small animal caretaker job openings in each state. The darker areas on the map show where small animal caretakers earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
Most common states for small animal caretakers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 81 | 3% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 108 | 2% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 90 | 2% |
| 4 | California | 39,536,653 | 245 | 1% |
| 5 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 81 | 1% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 75 | 1% |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 73 | 1% |
| 8 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 48 | 1% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 43 | 1% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 42 | 1% |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 38 | 1% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 28 | 1% |
| 13 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 27 | 1% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 25 | 1% |
| 15 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 20 | 1% |
| 16 | Alaska | 739,795 | 9 | 1% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 8 | 1% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 8 | 1% |
| 19 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 7 | 1% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 4 | 1% |
Most common cities for small animal caretakers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | 1 | 2% | $28,041 |
| 2 | State College | 1 | 2% | $27,113 |
| 3 | Bellflower | 1 | 1% | $30,328 |
| 4 | Iowa City | 1 | 1% | $28,074 |
Small Animal Caretaker job outlook: Expert opinions
We spoke to small animal caretaker professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the small animal caretaker job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the small animal caretaker industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.
Our panel of small animal caretaker experts
Dr. Chase Runyan
Angelo State University
Dr. Chase Runyan
Associate Professor, Department Chair, Director of MIR/Research ScientistAngelo State University
Department of Agriculture
What soft skills should all Small Animal Caretakers possess?
Dr. Chase Runyan: Adaptability will have a premium in the near future as new professionals enter the work force. Accountability in the agriculture sectors is also a highly valued asset.
What's a day at work look like for a Small Animal Caretaker?
Dr. Chase Runyan: Because agriculture industries are so diverse in their nature, it is nearly impossible to gauge what a work day might look like.
Small animal caretaker jobs
Updated January 26, 2021