Animal Caretakers Salary in Dubuque, IA
The median pay for a animal caretakers in Dubuque, IA is $28,670/year ($13.79/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $22K at the entry level to $38K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.33), which stretches that salary to about $32,829 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,077/month — about 53.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $29K get you in Dubuque?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Dubuque’s Regional Price Parity (87.33). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About animal caretakers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Dubuque, IA
Entry-level animal caretakers (10th percentile) start around $22K. Mid-career wages sit at $29K. Top earners bring in $38K or more, a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Animal Caretakers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $38K | +15% | 6,320 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +13% | 430 |
| California | $37K | +11% | 26,200 |
| Massachusetts | $37K | +10% | 7,470 |
| New York | $37K | +9% | 11,970 |
| Connecticut | $36K | +9% | 3,250 |
| Maine | $36K | +8% | 1,390 |
| Maryland | $36K | +8% | 6,380 |
| Vermont | $36K | +6% | 570 |
| Alaska | $36K | +6% | 560 |
| Oregon | $35K | +5% | 3,750 |
| Arizona | $35K | +5% | 5,450 |
| Rhode Island | $35K | +4% | 1,030 |
| New Jersey | $35K | +3% | 6,010 |
| Illinois | $34K | +3% | 10,660 |
| Hawaii | $34K | +3% | 690 |
| Minnesota | $34K | +1% | 4,610 |
| Montana | $32K | -4% | 1,150 |
| New Hampshire | $32K | -4% | 1,790 |
| Utah | $32K | -6% | 2,370 |
| Virginia | $31K | -8% | 9,610 |
| New Mexico | $31K | -8% | 1,650 |
| Delaware | $30K | -9% | 1,140 |
| North Dakota | $30K | -9% | 730 |
| Florida | $30K | -9% | 17,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $30K | -10% | 10,330 |
| Nebraska | $30K | -10% | 2,170 |
| Idaho | $30K | -11% | 1,890 |
| South Carolina | $30K | -11% | 5,280 |
| Texas | $30K | -11% | 22,690 |
| Tennessee | $30K | -11% | 7,000 |
| Michigan | $30K | -11% | 6,480 |
| Ohio | $30K | -11% | 9,750 |
| Iowa | $30K | -12% | 3,460 |
| Nevada | $30K | -12% | 2,500 |
| Wisconsin | $29K | -12% | 5,600 |
| South Dakota | $29K | -12% | 1,030 |
| Missouri | $29K | -12% | 6,570 |
| Arkansas | $29K | -12% | 2,270 |
| Kentucky | $29K | -12% | 6,980 |
| North Carolina | $29K | -14% | 10,810 |
| Georgia | $29K | -14% | 9,620 |
| Indiana | $29K | -14% | 6,200 |
| Wyoming | $29K | -14% | 430 |
| Oklahoma | $28K | -15% | 3,780 |
| West Virginia | $28K | -15% | 1,220 |
| Kansas | $28K | -16% | 3,010 |
| Alabama | $28K | -17% | 4,170 |
| Louisiana | $28K | -17% | 3,060 |
| Mississippi | $24K | -29% | 1,750 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track animal caretakers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Dubuque numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do animal caretakers make in Dubuque, IA?
The median is $28,670 a year, that works out to about $14 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $22,060, and experienced animal caretakers can clear $38,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $29K enough to live in Dubuque?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $1,985/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,077/month, which eats 54.3% 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 Dubuque?
Dubuque has a Regional Price Parity of 87.33 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median animal caretakers salary is worth about $32,829 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.