Anesthesiologists vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?
Anesthesiologists out-earn Animal Caretakers by $356K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Anesthesiologists land at $391,490 and Animal Caretakers at $35,360. The education gap is real: anesthesiologist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Anesthesiologists is Washington ($499,990); for Animal Caretakers it's District of Columbia ($44,210).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Anesthesiologists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Anesthesiologists or Animal Caretakers?
Anesthesiologists earn more nationally. The median is $391,490 for Anesthesiologists versus $35,360 for Animal Caretakers, a difference of $356K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Anesthesiologists or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Caretakers has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 3.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Anesthesiologists or Animal Caretakers?
Anesthesiologists typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Animal Caretakers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Anesthesiologists get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Anesthesiologists at $499,990/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Anesthesiologists vs. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Anesthesiologists earn $499,990 vs. $40,570 for Animal Caretakers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.