Animal Breeders vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?
Animal Breeders out-earn Animal Caretakers by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Animal Breeders land at $51,130 and Animal Caretakers at $35,360. The education gap is real: animal breeder programs typically require no formal educational credential, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Animal Breeders is Ohio ($68,980); for Animal Caretakers it's District of Columbia ($44,210).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Animal Breeders median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Animal Breeders or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Breeders earn more nationally. The median is $51,130 for Animal Breeders versus $35,360 for Animal Caretakers, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Animal Breeders or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Caretakers has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 2.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Animal Breeders or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Breeders 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 Animal Breeders get paid the most?
Ohio is the top-paying state for Animal Breeders at $68,980/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Animal Breeders vs. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Ohio, Animal Breeders earn $68,980 vs. $30,310 for Animal Caretakers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.