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Salary comparison

Aerospace Engineers vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineerss out-earn Animal Caretakerss by $101K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Aerospace Engineerss land at $134,830 and Animal Caretakerss at $33,470. The education gap is real: aerospace engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineerss is District of Columbia ($175,350); for Animal Caretakerss it's Washington ($38,400).

Aerospace Engineers
Animal Caretakers
Median salary
$134,830
$33,470
Hourly rate
$64.82/hr
$16.09/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$85,350
$24,500
Senior level (90th %)
$205,850
$46,480
Education required
Bachelor's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
68,440
277,300
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Engineering
Personal Care
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aerospace Engineers median pay.

State
Aerospace Engineers
Animal Caretakers
District of Columbia
$175,350
$37,980
Washington
$158,600
$38,400
Maryland
$158,220
$35,990
Massachusetts
$152,210
$36,910
California
$143,860
$37,200
Vermont
$140,520
$35,600
Arizona
$135,620
$35,170
Hawaii
$134,910
$34,410
Maine
$133,660
$36,310
New Jersey
$128,400
$34,530
New York
$125,270
$36,500
Illinois
$122,540
$34,440
Connecticut
$119,060
$36,330
Oregon
$112,460
$35,310
Alaska
$100,610
$35,570

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineerss or Animal Caretakerss?

Aerospace Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $134,830 for Aerospace Engineerss versus $33,470 for Animal Caretakerss, a difference of $101K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineers or Animal Caretakers?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineers or Animal Caretakers?

Aerospace Engineers typically requires bachelor's degree. Animal Caretakers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Aerospace Engineerss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineerss at $175,350/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aerospace Engineers vs. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Aerospace Engineerss earn $175,350 vs. $37,980 for Animal Caretakerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Animal Caretakers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Animal Caretakerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineersGuide →How to become a animal caretakersGuide →