Agricultural Inspectors vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?
Agricultural Inspectors out-earn Animal Caretakers by $15K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Inspectors land at $49,940 and Animal Caretakers at $35,360. The education gap is real: agricultural inspector programs typically require no formal educational credential, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Agricultural Inspectors is Minnesota ($77,150); for Animal Caretakers it's District of Columbia ($44,210).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Agricultural Inspectors median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Agricultural Inspectors or Animal Caretakers?
Agricultural Inspectors earn more nationally. The median is $49,940 for Agricultural Inspectors versus $35,360 for Animal Caretakers, a difference of $15K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Agricultural Inspectors or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Caretakers has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 1.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Agricultural Inspectors or Animal Caretakers?
Agricultural Inspectors typically requires no formal educational credential. Animal Caretakers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Agricultural Inspectors get paid the most?
Minnesota is the top-paying state for Agricultural Inspectors at $77,150/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Agricultural Inspectors vs. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Minnesota, Agricultural Inspectors earn $77,150 vs. $36,430 for Animal Caretakers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.