Iowa ranks 35th of 51 states and D.C. for animal caretakers pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($38,400) by $8,840 — a 30% gap.
Animal Caretakers are more concentrated in Iowa than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.23 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.23× the national share.
Iowa employs roughly 1.2% of all animal caretakers in the country (3,460 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $21,780 | $10.47 |
| 25th percentile | $22,610 | $10.87 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| 75th percentile | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,690 | $21.49 |
| Mean (average) | $31,500 | $15.15 |
How Iowa Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa (current) | $29,560 | n/a |
| Washington | $38,400 | +30% |
| District of Columbia | $37,980 | +28% |
| California | $37,200 | +26% |
| Massachusetts | $36,910 | +25% |
| New York | $36,500 | +23% |
| Connecticut | $36,330 | +23% |
| Maine | $36,310 | +23% |
| Maryland | $35,990 | +22% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Iowa
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $29,790 | 5,570 |
| Parking Attendants | $29,300 | 1,270 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $29,840 | 5,050 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,270 | 5,160 |
| Retail Salespersons | $30,030 | 37,600 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,060 | 410 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Animal Caretakers salary in Iowa?
The mean animal caretakers salary in Iowa is $31,500 per year. The median (middle) salary is $29,560 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Animal Caretakers in Iowa?
Entry-level animal caretakerss (10th percentile) in Iowa typically earn around $21,780 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $22,610 per year.
What is the highest Animal Caretakers salary in Iowa?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Iowa make approximately $44,690 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $34,510 per year.
How does the Iowa Animal Caretakers salary compare to the national average?
The median animal caretakers salary in Iowa is $29,560, which is -12% below national average of $33,470.