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Career overview · SOC 39-2021

Animal Caretakers

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.

Also called: Animal Care Giver (ACG) · Aquarist · Dog Bather · Dog Groomer · Groomer · Kennel Attendant

Median pay (national)
$33,470
$24,500–$46,480 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
277,300
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+12.1%
~74,600 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for animal caretakers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $46,480 versus $24,500 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $33,470 leaves roughly 39% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +12.1% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 74,600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $38,400, +15% vs the national median), while Mississippi sits lowest at $23,740 — a 62% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Learning Strategies
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
  • Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
  • Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
  • Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
  • Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
  • Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
  • Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
  • Answer telephones and schedule appointments.

Tools & technology

  • CEEJS The Pet Groomer's Secretary
  • DaySmart Software 123Pet
  • DaySmart Software Appointment-Plus
  • Envision Pet Grooming
  • Groom Pro
  • Groomsoft
  • K9 Bytes K9 Koordinator
  • Kennel Link
  • Mobile Dog Grooming Software mGroomer
  • Petschedule
  • The Groomer's Write Hand
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Knowledge areas

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administrative
  • English Language
  • Education and Training
  • Administration and Management
  • Psychology
  • Mathematics
  • Public Safety and Security