Animal Caretakers Salary
The median pay for a animal caretakers in Colorado is $37,430/year ($18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $55K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $37K get you in Colorado?
About animal caretakers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level animal caretakers (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K. Top earners bring in $55K or more, a $23K spread from bottom to top.
Animal Caretakers salary by metro in Colorado
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $38K | +1% | 490 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $38K | +1% | 3,560 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $36K | -4% | 350 |
| Greeley | $36K | -4% | 280 |
| Colorado Springs | $35K | -6% | 770 |
| Pueblo | $35K | -8% | 110 |
| Grand Junction | $34K | -8% | 150 |
Compare to other states
Track animal caretakers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a animal caretaker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $37K, rent takes 80.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for animal caretakers in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new animal caretakers typically earn — is $32K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,924/month.
Is animal caretaker a high-paying job in Colorado?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $37K locally vs. $35K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for animal caretakers?
Colorado pays $37K median vs. the U.S. average of $35K — that’s +6%.
How much do animal caretakers make in Colorado?
The median is $37,430 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,070, and experienced animal caretakers can clear $55,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,539/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 80.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a animal caretakers salary go in Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median animal caretakers salary is worth about $37,430 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do animal caretakers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.