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Animal Caretakers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Kentucky (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Animal Caretakers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Kentucky? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

109% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Kentucky salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$22,600
$1,883/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$30,720
$2,560/mo
Senior (P90)
$47,290
$3,941/mo

Kentucky vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$22,600
National: $27,588
-18.1%
Mid-Career (Median)
$30,720
National: $33,529
-8.4%
Senior (P90)
$47,290
National: $50,796
-6.9%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Animal Caretakers in Kentucky spans from $22,600 at entry-level to $47,290 at senior level — a difference of $24,690 per year.

P10
$22K
P25
$27K
Median
$30K
P75
$37K
P90
$47K

Career Growth Premium: +109%

Senior Animal Caretakerss in Kentucky earn $24,690 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$24,690
Monthly Difference
+$2,058
Hourly Difference
+$11.87
Growth Multiple
2.1x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Animal Caretakers salary increases with experience in Kentucky, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $22,600 $1,883 $10.87
Early Career P25 $27,860 $2,322 $13.39
Mid-Career Median $30,720 $2,560 $14.77
Experienced P75 $37,890 $3,158 $18.22
Senior / Expert P90 $47,290 $3,941 $22.74
Key Insight

Animal Caretakers in Kentucky has a moderate salary progression with a 109% growth from entry-level ($22,600) to senior ($47,290). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($30,720) and P90 ($47,290) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Kentucky Compares to Other States

Where does Kentucky rank for Animal Caretakers senior-level salaries? Compare Kentucky's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$68,090
Entry: $33K
+104%
2
$66,200
Entry: $31K
+113%
3
$64,580
Entry: $36K
+79%
4
$64,300
Entry: $37K
+70%
5
$64,060
Entry: $32K
+95%
6
$63,120
Entry: $31K
+100%
7
$62,540
Entry: $35K
+78%
8
$62,170
Entry: $29K
+108%
9
$58,400
Entry: $27K
+116%
10
$56,730
Entry: $31K
+80%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Animal Caretakers?

Entry-level Animal Caretakerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $22,600 per year, or $1,883 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $27,860. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Animal Caretakers make?

Senior Animal Caretakerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $47,290 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $37,890. This represents a career premium of 109% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Animal Caretakers?

The career salary growth potential for Animal Caretakerss is 109%. Entry-level professionals start at $22,600, while senior-level can earn up to $47,290 — a difference of $24,690 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Animal Caretakerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Animal Caretakerss is Kentucky, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $47,290 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Animal Caretakers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Kentucky from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Kentucky.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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