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Animal Care Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does an Animal Care Counselor make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animal Care Counselor in the United States is $49,115 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

However, an Animal Care Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,092
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,124 to $53,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,490
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Animal Care Counselor Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Animal Care Counselor Salaries

An Animal Care Counselor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Animal Care Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Animal Care Counselor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $46,334
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $46,652
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $48,535
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $50,159
  • Expert (over 8 years): $50,449
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Animal Care Counselor less than 1 year $46,334
Early Career Level Animal Care Counselor 1-2 years $46,652
Mid-Level Level Animal Care Counselor 2-4 years $48,535
Senior-Level Level Animal Care Counselor 5-8 years $50,159
Expert Level Animal Care Counselor over 8 years $50,449

How Do Animal Care Counselor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Animal Care Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $54,380.
  • California: $54,174.
  • Massachusetts: $53,452.

Top Paying Cities for Animal Care Counselor

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $61,949
  • San Francisco: $61,270
  • Oakland: $59,979

Animal Care Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Animal Care Counselor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Animal Care Counselor positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Animal Care Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Animal Care Counselor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $63,849 $31.0 30%
Healthcare $51,571 $25.0 5%

How Education impacts an Animal Care Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Animal Care Counselor professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Animal Care Counselor with a high school is between $48,783 and $50,386.

Animal Care Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Animal Care Counselor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 2.1%
High School 27.8%
Associate's Degree 40.2%
Bachelor's Degree 26.8%
Master's Degree or MBA 2.1%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 1%
View as Graph

Animal Care Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Animal Care Counselor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$45,124
Average $49,115/year
$53,290
$3,760
Average $4,093/month
$4,441
$868
Average $945/week
$1,025
$22
Average $24/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,290 $4,441 $1,025 $26
Average $49,115 $4,093 $945 $24
25th Percentile $45,124 $3,760 $868 $22

Most common benefits for Animal Care Counselor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Animal Care Counselor

Here are companies hiring for Animal Care Counselor and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Animal Care Counselor Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Animal Care Counselor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

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  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    5 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    6 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Account

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

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FAQ about Animal Care Counselor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Animal Care Counselor?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Animal Care Counselor roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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