Animal Caretakers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Virginia (2024)

How does Animal Caretakers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Virginia? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

70% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Virginia salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$25,930
$2,161/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$29,740
$2,478/mo
Senior (P90)
$44,040
$3,670/mo

Virginia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$25,930
National: $25,120
+3.2%
Mid-Career (Median)
$29,740
National: $31,098
-4.4%
Senior (P90)
$44,040
National: $43,375
+1.5%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Animal Caretakers in Virginia spans from $25,930 at entry-level to $44,040 at senior level — a difference of $18,110 per year.

P10
$25K
P25
$28K
Median
$29K
P75
$34K
P90
$44K

Career Growth Premium: +70%

Senior Animal Caretakerss in Virginia earn $18,110 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$18,110
Monthly Difference
+$1,509
Hourly Difference
+$8.71
Growth Multiple
1.7x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

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

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $25,930 $2,161 $12.47
Early Career P25 $28,020 $2,335 $13.47
Mid-Career Median $29,740 $2,478 $14.30
Experienced P75 $34,850 $2,904 $16.75
Senior / Expert P90 $44,040 $3,670 $21.17
Key Insight

Animal Caretakers in Virginia has a moderate salary progression with a 70% growth from entry-level ($25,930) to senior ($44,040). 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 ($29,740) and P90 ($44,040) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Virginia Compares to Other States

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

1
$60,710
Entry: $28K
+115%
2
$59,110
Entry: $21K
+171%
3
$50,950
Entry: $33K
+52%
4
$49,870
Entry: $30K
+65%
5
$49,340
Entry: $35K
+41%
6
$49,280
Entry: $27K
+77%
7
$49,050
Entry: $30K
+61%
8
$48,100
Entry: $26K
+80%
9
$48,080
Entry: $33K
+44%
10
$47,830
Entry: $22K
+114%

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level Animal Caretakerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $25,930 per year, or $2,160 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $28,020. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Animal Caretakers make?

Senior Animal Caretakerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $44,040 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $34,850. This represents a career premium of 70% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Animal Caretakers?

The career salary growth potential for Animal Caretakerss is 70%. Entry-level professionals start at $25,930, while senior-level can earn up to $44,040 — a difference of $18,110 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Animal Caretakerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Animal Caretakerss is Virginia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $44,040 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) 2024 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.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Virginia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. 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 Virginia.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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