Agricultural Technicians vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?
Agricultural Technicians out-earn Animal Caretakers by $14K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Technicians land at $49,630 and Animal Caretakers at $35,360. The education gap is real: agricultural technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Agricultural Technicians is Iowa ($64,070); for Animal Caretakers it's District of Columbia ($44,210).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Agricultural Technicians median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Agricultural Technicians or Animal Caretakers?
Agricultural Technicians earn more nationally. The median is $49,630 for Agricultural Technicians versus $35,360 for Animal Caretakers, a difference of $14K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Agricultural Technicians or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Caretakers has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 4.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Agricultural Technicians or Animal Caretakers?
Agricultural Technicians 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 Technicians get paid the most?
Iowa is the top-paying state for Agricultural Technicians at $64,070/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Agricultural Technicians vs. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Arizona, Agricultural Technicians earn $62,990 vs. $38,180 for Animal Caretakers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.