Agricultural Engineers vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?
Agricultural Engineers out-earn Animal Caretakers by $63K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Engineers land at $98,590 and Animal Caretakers at $35,360. The education gap is real: agricultural engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Agricultural Engineers is Ohio ($119,250); for Animal Caretakers it's District of Columbia ($44,210).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Agricultural Engineers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Agricultural Engineers or Animal Caretakers?
Agricultural Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $98,590 for Agricultural Engineers versus $35,360 for Animal Caretakers, a difference of $63K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Agricultural Engineers or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Caretakers has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 5.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Agricultural Engineers or Animal Caretakers?
Agricultural 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 Agricultural Engineers get paid the most?
Ohio is the top-paying state for Agricultural Engineers at $119,250/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Agricultural Engineers vs. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Ohio, Agricultural Engineers earn $119,250 vs. $30,310 for Animal Caretakers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.