Animal Caretakers in Puerto Rico
Considering working as an Animal Caretakers in Puerto Rico? 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 Puerto Rico?
For animal caretakers working in Puerto Rico, wages run about $26,890 per year (or about $12.93/hour).Annual wages span from $19,870 at the 10th percentile to $29,630 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $19,870 | $9.55 |
| 25th percentile | $20,940 | $10.07 |
| Median (50th) | $26,890 | $12.93 |
| 75th percentile | $29,240 | $14.06 |
| 90th percentile | $29,630 | $14.25 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Puerto Rico nationwide is 0.26, meaning fewer animal caretakers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, animal caretakers earn a median of $22,332 per year ($10.74/hour), exceeding the Puerto Rico median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 123,831 animal caretakers across the United States. In Puerto Rico alone, about 440 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 3,750 animal caretakers.
Top Puerto Rico Metros for Animal Caretakers
The largest metro-area employers of animal caretakers in Puerto Rico.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | 300 | $28,470 |
| Mayaguez, PR | 30 | $20,050 |
| Ponce, PR | 30 | $20,190 |
Top States for Animal Caretakers Employment
The table below shows the states where 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
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
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for animal caretakers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: 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
Related occupations 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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