Personal Care · Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice
This profile is intended as career exploration guidance based on federal labor data. Actual job requirements, salaries, and opportunities vary by employer and location.
Entry Salary
$21–26k
First 1–2 years
Peak Salary
$29–34k
10+ years experience
Job Outlook
+12.1% · Much faster than average
Projected growth of 12.1% from 2024 to 2034; about 75 openings projected per year.
Time to Start
1–2 years
College degree typical
Salary data sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, employer, and specialization.
Entry-Level Caretakers
Animal Caretakers
Experienced Animal Caretakers
Senior Animal Caretakers
Director of Personal Care
You prioritize Relationships
This career is strongly aligned with Relationships — a core work value that shapes how people approach their career decisions.
You're strong in Monitoring
Monitoring is a top skill for this career, and it plays to what students like you naturally do best.
Good fit for your timeline
This career typically requires short-term training (less than 1 year), which matches common student preparation goals.
Browse schools offering programs in this field
13 schools offer programs in this career field.
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