LocalSalaryHub Salary Report
Animal Caretakers in Buffalo, NY · Generated June 14, 2026
Animal Caretakers Salary in Buffalo, NY $34,840/yr
$34,840
Mean: $37,430
~$27,175 est. take-home
$16.75
Based on 2,080 hrs/yr
100
100 = national avg
Difficult
Affordability score: 0/100
-$59/mo
-2%
Salary Distribution
Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.
25th %
$34,100
Median
$34,840
75th %
$38,190
Median is in the 18th percentile of the typical range
Animal Caretakers in other NY cities
Compare the same occupation across cities in NY.
About Animal Caretakers salaries in Buffalo, NY
Animal Caretakers in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $34,840 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $37,430, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Most animal caretakers in this area earn between $34,100 and $38,190. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.
That works out to roughly $16.75 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 Buffalo, NY
Median: $34,840/yr — browse openings that fit.
Animal Caretakers jobs on Indeed
Search thousands of openings
Animal Caretakers on LinkedIn
Network & apply
Animal Caretakers on ZipRecruiter
AI-matched positions
Animal Caretakers on Glassdoor
Salary + reviews
Boost your skills
Courses for Animal
External job listings · LocalSalaryHub may earn a referral fee
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a animal caretakers in Buffalo?▾
The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $34,840. The average (mean) is $37,430, which is higher because top earners pull it up.
How much does a animal caretakers make per hour in Buffalo?▾
About $16.75/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 Buffalo?▾
The middle 50% earn between $34,100 and $38,190. Below $34,100 is typically entry-level; above $38,190 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.
Salary Conversion Table
How does $34,840 per year break down across different time periods?
| Period | Gross | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly | $34,840 | $27,175 |
| Monthly | $2,903 | $2,265 |
| Biweekly | $1,340 | $1,045 |
| Weekly | $670 | $523 |
| Hourly (40h/wk) | $16.75 | $13.06 |
| Hourly (35h/wk) | $19.14 | $14.93 |
| Hourly (30h/wk) | $22.33 | $17.42 |
| Daily (8h) | $134 | $105 |
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 Buffalo
Similar roles in the same field, ranked by national average salary.
Get Salary Alerts
Be the first to know when Animal Caretakers salaries change in Buffalo, NY.
Free alerts · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
See more salary data
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 NY salary data — every occupation we cover in NY, 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 Buffalo.
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary overview — a closely related role (same SOC major group) with a national median of $43,208.