How Much Does a Zookeeper Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$35,360
Zookeepers in the U.S. earn a median of $35,360 a year, or $17.00 an hour. Half of zookeepers earn more than $35,360 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $50,060.
Pay percentiles for zookeepers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $13.10 | $27,250 |
| 25th | $14.34 | $29,820 |
| 50th (median) | $17.00 | $35,360 |
| 75th | $19.26 | $40,050 |
| 90th | $24.07 | $50,060 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Animal Caretakers (SOC 39-2021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for zookeepers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $44,210 | $21.25 | +25% |
| Washington | $40,570 | $19.51 | +15% |
| Hawaii | $40,130 | $19.29 | +13% |
| Massachusetts | $39,650 | $19.06 | +12% |
| California | $38,700 | $18.60 | +9% |
| Arizona | $38,180 | $18.35 | +8% |
| New York | $37,840 | $18.19 | +7% |
| Colorado | $37,430 | $18.00 | +6% |
| Connecticut | $37,310 | $17.94 | +6% |
| Maine | $37,230 | $17.90 | +5% |
| United States | $35,360 | $17.00 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many zookeepers are there?
BLS counts about 266,910 zookeepers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Animal Caretakers”. The most jobs are in California (25,710), Texas (20,450) and Florida (17,210).
The mean (average) annual wage is $37,300, higher than the median of $35,360.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $2,947
- Biweekly
- $1,360
- Weekly
- $680
- Daily (8 hours)
- $136
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do zookeepers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for zookeepers is $17.00. The middle 50% earn between $14.34 and $19.26 an hour.
Which state pays zookeepers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for zookeepers at $44,210, +25% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for zookeepers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of zookeepers earn less than $27,250 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.