Animal Caretakers Salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
The median pay for a animal caretakers in Lansing-East Lansing, MI is $29,460/year ($14.17/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $24K at the entry level to $49K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.99), which stretches that salary to about $31,014 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,268/month — about 60.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $29K get you in Lansing-East Lansing?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Lansing-East Lansing’s Regional Price Parity (94.99). 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
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Entry-level animal caretakers (10th percentile) start around $24K. Mid-career wages sit at $29K. Top earners bring in $49K or more, a $25K 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 Lansing-East Lansing numbers change.
Related careers in Personal Care
Frequently asked questions
How much do animal caretakers make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median is $29,460 a year, that works out to about $14 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $23,970, and experienced animal caretakers can clear $48,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $29K enough to live in Lansing-East Lansing?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,038/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,268/month, which eats 62.2% 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 Lansing-East Lansing?
Lansing-East Lansing has a Regional Price Parity of 94.99 (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 $31,014 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.