Animal Caretakers
SOC Code: 39-2021 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Animal Caretakers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area | $25,917 | $35,672 | $45,448 | $55,203 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $39,478 | $42,931 | $46,405 | $49,858 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $36,941 | $40,893 | $44,866 | $48,818 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $38,168 | $41,413 | $44,678 | $47,923 |
| Yuba City, CA | $34,965 | $39,000 | $43,014 | $47,050 |
| Ames, IA | $26,832 | $33,301 | $39,749 | $46,218 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $34,840 | $38,605 | $42,349 | $46,114 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $34,694 | $38,438 | $42,182 | $45,926 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $30,638 | $35,589 | $40,560 | $45,510 |
| Salinas, CA | $36,026 | $39,166 | $42,328 | $45,469 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.0 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 2.9 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 2.8 | |
| Writing | 2.8 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.2 |
| Administrative | 3.1 |
| English Language | 3.1 |
| Education and Training | 2.6 |
| Administration and Management | 2.5 |
| Psychology | 2.5 |
| Mathematics | 2.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 63.5% |
| Associate's degree | 13.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 13.4% |
| Less than high school | 9.5% |
Typical Tasks
- Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
- Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
- Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
- Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
- Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
- Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
- Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
- Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Calculate your wage level for Animal Caretakers →
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