Animal Caretakers pay range in Fargo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $28,670 a year or less, while the top 10% make $61,430 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Fargo earn between $30,710 and $36,820.
- $29K10th
- $31K25th
- $34KMedian
- $37K75th
- $61K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $37,610 | $3,134 | $18.08 |
| Median | $34,040 | $2,837 | $16.37 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $30,710 | $2,559 | $14.76 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $36,820 | $3,068 | $17.70 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Fargo vs. North Dakota and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Fargo earn 5% less than the North Dakota average ($39,460) and about the same as the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -4% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $37,610 | $34,040 | $28,670 | $61,430 | 390 |
| North Dakota | $39,460 | $34,040 | $29,960 | $62,170 | 770 |
| United States | $37,300 | $35,360 | $27,250 | $50,060 | 266,910 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Animal Caretakers salary after taxes in Fargo
On the average salary of $37,610, a single filer in Fargo takes home about $32,400 a year, or $2,700 a month and $1,246 every two weeks. Taxes take 14% of gross pay.
The Fargo, ND-MN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in ND | $32,400 | $2,700 |
| Working in MN | $31,206 | $2,601 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Fargo a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Fargo area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.9), so the average $37,610 buys what about $41,388 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Fargo ($51,050). A typical home costs $327,854, or 8.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other North Dakota cities
Fargo ranks 4th of 4 North Dakota metro areas for this job; Minot pays the most ($44,490).
- Minot$44,490
- Bismarck$40,130
- Grand Forks$39,240
- Fargo$37,610
Highest-paying cities for animal caretakers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($47,930).
- San Jose, CA$47,930
- Seattle, WA$47,810
- San Francisco, CA$46,960
- Phoenix, AZ$46,050
- Barnstable, MA$45,910
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Animal Caretakers salary in Fargo: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Fargo?
$18.08 an hour on average, and $16.37 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Fargo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $28,670 a year and the 25th percentile is $30,710, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Fargo?
About $32,400 a year ($2,700 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $37,610.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Fargo than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($37,300).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 39-2021; area Fargo, ND-MN (22020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.54, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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