Animal Caretakers in Iowa
Want to work as an Animal Caretakers in Iowa? Here’s what you need to know. Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, 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) and “Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals” (45-2093).
What do Animal Caretakers Make in Iowa?
For a animal caretakers working in Iowa, the typical annual salary is $29,560 per year (or about $14.21/hour).Annual wages span from $21,780 at the 10th percentile to $44,690 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21,780 | $10.47 |
| 25th percentile | $22,610 | $10.87 |
| Median (50th) | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| 75th percentile | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| 90th percentile | $44,690 | $21.49 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Iowa relative to the national average — is 1.23, indicating that animal caretakers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, animal caretakers earn a median of $22,332 per year ($10.74/hour), exceeding the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 123,831 animal caretakers nationwide. In Iowa alone, about 3,460 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 3,750 animal caretakers.
Top Iowa Metros for Animal Caretakers
The largest metro-area employers of animal caretakers in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 950 | $30,070 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 420 | $22,610 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 320 | $29,040 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 280 | $29,200 |
| Iowa City, IA | 270 | $32,050 |
| Ames, IA | 220 | $37,050 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 120 | $28,980 |
| Dubuque, IA | 80 | $28,670 |
Top States for Animal Caretakers Employment
These states have the highest employment of animal caretakers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 26,200 |
| Texas | 22,690 |
| Florida | 17,610 |
| New York | 11,970 |
| North Carolina | 10,810 |
| Illinois | 10,660 |
| Pennsylvania | 10,330 |
| Ohio | 9,750 |
| Georgia | 9,620 |
| Virginia | 9,610 |
| Massachusetts | 7,470 |
| Tennessee | 7,000 |
| Kentucky | 6,980 |
| Missouri | 6,570 |
| Colorado | 6,530 |
| Michigan | 6,480 |
| Maryland | 6,380 |
| Washington | 6,320 |
| Indiana | 6,200 |
| New Jersey | 6,010 |
Highest-Paying States for Animal Caretakers
The highest-paying states for animal caretakers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $38,400 |
| District of Columbia | $37,980 |
| California | $37,200 |
| Massachusetts | $36,910 |
| New York | $36,500 |
| Connecticut | $36,330 |
| Maine | $36,310 |
| Maryland | $35,990 |
| Vermont | $35,600 |
| Alaska | $35,570 |
Skills
Top animal caretakers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for animal caretakers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, animal caretakers typically:
- Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
- Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
- Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
- Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
- Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
- Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
- Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
- Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
- Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
- Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health.
- Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
- Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Animal Services
- Anthrozoology
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to animal caretakers include:
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
- Animal Scientists
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Veterinarians
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Also Known As
Animal Care Attendant, Animal Care Giver (ACG), Animal Care Service Worker, Animal Care Specialist, Animal Care Taker, Animal Care Technician, Animal Caregiver, Animal Caretaker, Animal Daycare Provider, Animal Feeder, Animal Groomer, Animal Handler, Animal Health Technician, Animal Keeper, Animal Nursery Worker.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 39-2021.00
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