U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsFeed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise care for pets and other nonfarm animals, such as dogs, cats, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks. Excludes "Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers" (31-9096).
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 135,070 | 1.6 % | $10.61 | $22,070 | 0.5 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $7.72 | $8.41 | $9.40 | $11.68 | $15.33 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $16,050 | $17,490 | $19,550 | $24,290 | $31,880 |
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Personal Services | 48,250 | 20.61 | $10.67 | $22,200 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 26,770 | 4.62 | $9.96 | $20,720 |
| Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers | 23,110 | 8.57 | $9.45 | $19,660 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | 9,650 | 5.09 | $10.18 | $21,170 |
| Spectator Sports | 8,800 | 6.71 | $10.91 | $22,700 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Personal Services | 48,250 | 20.61 | $10.67 | $22,200 |
| Support Activities for Animal Production | 2,420 | 8.97 | $11.75 | $24,440 |
| Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers | 23,110 | 8.57 | $9.45 | $19,660 |
| Spectator Sports | 8,800 | 6.71 | $10.91 | $22,700 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | 9,650 | 5.09 | $10.18 | $21,170 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 530 | 0.03 | $18.76 | $39,010 |
| State Government (OES Designation) | 170 | 0.01 | $16.32 | $33,950 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 80 | (7) | $16.25 | $33,800 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 110 | 0.04 | $14.81 | $30,800 |
| Local Government (OES Designation) | 3,770 | 0.07 | $13.92 | $28,950 |
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 14,470 | 1.03 | 0.97 | $11.46 | $23,850 |
| Texas | 10,820 | 1.07 | 1.01 | $9.99 | $20,770 |
| New York | 8,600 | 1.03 | 0.97 | $11.54 | $24,010 |
| Florida | 7,830 | 1.10 | 1.04 | $10.55 | $21,940 |
| Illinois | 6,970 | 1.26 | 1.19 | $10.74 | $22,340 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 660 | 1.67 | 1.57 | $11.54 | $24,010 |
| West Virginia | 1,000 | 1.45 | 1.36 | $9.26 | $19,260 |
| Maryland | 3,570 | 1.45 | 1.36 | $12.05 | $25,070 |
| Virginia | 4,870 | 1.38 | 1.30 | $10.35 | $21,520 |
| Arizona | 3,080 | 1.30 | 1.22 | $10.16 | $21,140 |
Top paying States for this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 110 | 0.17 | 0.16 | $15.72 | $32,700 |
| Hawaii | 400 | 0.70 | 0.66 | $14.45 | $30,050 |
| Alaska | 300 | 0.99 | 0.93 | $14.01 | $29,150 |
| Maryland | 3,570 | 1.45 | 1.36 | $12.05 | $25,070 |
| Connecticut | 1,860 | 1.16 | 1.10 | $11.92 | $24,790 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL Metropolitan Division | 5,000 | 1.41 | 1.33 | $10.67 | $22,190 |
| New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 3,800 | 0.76 | 0.72 | $12.67 | $26,340 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division | 3,440 | 0.90 | 0.85 | $11.31 | $23,530 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA | 2,900 | 1.32 | 1.24 | $11.18 | $23,260 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 2,850 | 1.25 | 1.17 | $11.47 | $23,860 |
| Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX | 2,730 | 1.09 | 1.03 | $9.88 | $20,550 |
| Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division | 2,590 | 1.30 | 1.22 | $10.83 | $22,540 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 2,390 | 1.42 | 1.34 | $10.15 | $21,100 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA | 2,040 | 1.65 | 1.55 | $12.36 | $25,710 |
| Nassau-Suffolk, NY Metropolitan Division | 1,970 | 1.64 | 1.54 | $11.55 | $24,030 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocala, FL | 360 | 4.05 | 3.81 | $10.34 | $21,500 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 750 | 3.12 |