Amusement and Recreation Attendants vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?
Animal Caretakers out-earn Amusement and Recreation Attendants by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Amusement and Recreation Attendants land at $32,150 and Animal Caretakers at $35,360. The education gap is real: amusement and recreation attendant programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Amusement and Recreation Attendants is Alaska ($45,680); for Animal Caretakers it's District of Columbia ($44,210).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Amusement and Recreation Attendants median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Amusement and Recreation Attendants or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Caretakers earn more nationally. The median is $32,150 for Amusement and Recreation Attendants versus $35,360 for Animal Caretakers, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Amusement and Recreation Attendants or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Caretakers has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 3.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Amusement and Recreation Attendants or Animal Caretakers?
Amusement and Recreation Attendants typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Animal Caretakers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Amusement and Recreation Attendants get paid the most?
Alaska is the top-paying state for Amusement and Recreation Attendants at $45,680/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Amusement and Recreation Attendants vs. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Amusement and Recreation Attendants earn $45,680 vs. $36,640 for Animal Caretakers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.