LocalSalaryHub Salary Report
Animal Caretakers in Lake Charles, LA · Generated August 16, 2026
Animal Caretakers Salary in Lake Charles, LA $26,160/yr
$26,160
Mean: $28,380
~$20,405 est. take-home
$12.58
Based on 2,080 hrs/yr
100
100 = national avg
Difficult
Affordability score: 0/100
-$649/mo
-35%
Salary Distribution
Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.
25th %
$22,420
Median
$26,160
75th %
$30,150
Median is in the 48th percentile of the typical range
Animal Caretakers in other LA cities
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About Animal Caretakers salaries in Lake Charles, LA
Animal Caretakers in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $26,160 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $28,380, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Most animal caretakers in this area earn between $22,420 and $30,150. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.
That works out to roughly $12.58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.
Career Outlook
This occupation is tracking close to the national average for job growth. Openings come from a mix of new positions and people retiring or changing careers, with regional variation depending on local industry mix.
Worth knowing: Staying current with industry certifications and picking up adjacent skills (data literacy, project management, or automation tools) is the most reliable way to earn above median in this field.
Animal Caretakers Jobs in Lake Charles, LA
Median: $26,160/yr — browse openings that fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a animal caretakers in Lake Charles?▾
The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $26,160. The average (mean) is $28,380, which is higher because top earners pull it up.
How much does a animal caretakers make per hour in Lake Charles?▾
About $12.58/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.
What is the salary range for animal caretakers in Lake Charles?▾
The middle 50% earn between $22,420 and $30,150. Below $22,420 is typically entry-level; above $30,150 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.
Salary Conversion Table
How does $26,160 per year break down across different time periods?
| Period | Gross | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly | $26,160 | $20,405 |
| Monthly | $2,180 | $1,700 |
| Biweekly | $1,006 | $785 |
| Weekly | $503 | $392 |
| Hourly (40h/wk) | $12.58 | $9.81 |
| Hourly (35h/wk) | $14.37 | $11.21 |
| Hourly (30h/wk) | $16.77 | $13.08 |
| Daily (8h) | $101 | $78 |
Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.
Animal Caretakers: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.
Top 10 cities nationwide for animal caretakers, based on BLS median salary data.
Related Occupations in Lake Charles
Similar roles in the same field, ranked by national average salary.
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More pages tied to this occupation and region.
- Animal Caretakers salaries nationwide — the national median and the highest-paying metros for animal caretakers across all states.
- All LA salary data — every occupation we cover in LA, ranked by median pay, plus the cities that pay the most.
- Animal Caretakers in Kahului, HI — the top-paying city for animal caretakers in our dataset, in case you are weighing a move out of Lake Charles.
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary overview — a closely related role (same SOC major group) with a national median of $43,208.