Animal Care Specialist Salary

Average Animal Care Specialist Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$31,075 Per Year

Salary Range: $22,400 to $43,707

Animal Care Specialist Salary

$22,400

10%

$24,625

25% 

$ 31,075

AVERAGE

$35,311

75%  

$43,707

90%  

How Much Does an Animal Care Specialist Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for an  Animal Care Specialist is $31,075 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $31,075 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

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Microsoft PowerPoint – Presentation software

CEEJS The Pet Groomer's Secretary – Data base user interface and query software

DaySmart Software Appointment-Plus – Calendar and scheduling software

Petschedule – Calendar and scheduling software

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Groom Pro – Calendar and scheduling software

The Groomer's Write Hand – Data base user interface and query software

Knowledge and Expertise

Customer and Personal Service

Administrative

Education and Training

Administration and Management

Psychology

Mathematics

Soft Skills

Monitoring

Reading Comprehension

Active Listening

Coordination

Service Orientation

Judgment and Decision Making

What is the salary range of an Animal Care Specialist?

Animal Care Specialist salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $31,075 but an Animal Care Specialist can earn a base salary anywhere from $22,400 to $43,707 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for an Animal Care Specialist job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for an Animal Care Specialist?

The highest Animal Care Specialist salaries in the top 10% earn more than $43,707 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $35,311 and $43,707 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for an Animal Care Specialist?

The lowest Animal Care Specialist salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $22,400 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $22,400 and $24,625 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for an Animal Care Specialist?

If we only look at the data for Animal Care Specialist salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for an Animal Care Specialist job would be over $31,075 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for an Animal Care Specialist would be anything over the top 75%, which is $35,311 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as an Animal Care Specialist?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as an Animal Care Specialist. One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for an Animal Care Specialist?

The top paying industries for an Animal Care Specialist job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Other Personal Services
  • Personal and Laundry Services
  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Retail Trade
  • Finance and Insurance

Does an Animal Care Specialist Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, an Animal Care Specialist would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an Animal Care Specialist, which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does an Animal Care Specialist make good money?

 In general, an Animal Care Specialist can make a decent salary but is a little lower than average. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is more than the average Animal Care Specialist salary, meaning this might not be a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Animal Care Specialist pay is below the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 43,707 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 22,400 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Animal Care Specialist, take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a Animal Care Specialist will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as an Animal Care Specialist?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for an Animal Care Specialist in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as an Animal Care Specialist is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of an Animal Care Specialist?

The money an Animal Care Specialist can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much an Animal Care Specialist earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.