Animal Caretakers in Kentucky
Want to work as an Animal Caretakers in Kentucky? Here’s what the data says. 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 Kentucky?
The animal caretakers working in Kentucky, wages run about $29,370 per year (or about $14.12/hour).Earnings range from $21,830 at the 10th percentile to $44,870 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21,830 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $26,350 | $12.67 |
| Median (50th) | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| 75th percentile | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| 90th percentile | $44,870 | $21.57 |
The job concentration index in Kentucky relative to the national average — is 1.95, meaning 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), higher than the Kentucky median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 123,831 animal caretakers nationwide. In Kentucky alone, around 6,980 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 3,750 animal caretakers.
Top Kentucky Metros for Animal Caretakers
The metro areas below employ the most animal caretakers in Kentucky.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 2,610 | $29,510 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 1,910 | $29,810 |
| Bowling Green, KY | 150 | $27,180 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | 140 | $27,760 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | 90 | $29,120 |
| Owensboro, KY | 60 | $29,520 |
Top States for Animal Caretakers Employment
View the states that employ the most 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
These states pay the most 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
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most 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?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Animal Services
- Anthrozoology
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like 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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