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Salary comparison

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors out-earn Animal Caretakers by $23K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors land at $58,170 and Animal Caretakers at $35,360. The education gap is real: aircraft cargo handling supervisor programs typically require no formal educational credential, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors is Georgia ($81,380); for Animal Caretakers it's District of Columbia ($44,210).

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Animal Caretakers
Median salary
$58,170
$35,360
Hourly rate
$27.97/hr
$17/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$41,690
$27,250
Senior level (90th %)
$92,160
$50,060
Education required
No formal educational credential
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
9,760
266,910
Job growth (10-year)
5.2%
12.1%
Category
Transportation
Personal Care
Top-paying state
Georgia
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors median pay.

State
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Animal Caretakers
Colorado
$79,260
$37,430
Connecticut
$78,770
$37,310
Arizona
$74,780
$38,180
New Jersey
$65,590
$35,850
Oregon
$61,340
$36,580
Washington
$61,090
$40,570
California
$60,530
$38,700
Hawaii
$59,120
$40,130
Illinois
$58,600
$35,570
Alaska
$58,230
$36,640
Utah
$57,570
$34,750
New York
$57,290
$37,840
Minnesota
$53,100
$36,430
Massachusetts
$52,470
$39,650
New Hampshire
$52,360
$34,790

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors or Animal Caretakers?

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors earn more nationally. The median is $58,170 for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors versus $35,360 for Animal Caretakers, a difference of $23K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors or Animal Caretakers?

Animal Caretakers has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 5.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors or Animal Caretakers?

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors 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 Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors get paid the most?

Georgia is the top-paying state for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors at $81,380/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors vs. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Colorado, Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors earn $79,260 vs. $37,430 for Animal Caretakers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors salary breakdownView →Full Animal Caretakers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Animal Caretakers by take-home payExplore →How to become a aircraft cargo handling supervisorsGuide →How to become a animal caretakersGuide →