Pet Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does a Pet Counselor make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pet Counselor in the United States is $23,094 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $11.

However, a Pet Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $26,084
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $21,154 to $24,659
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $19,388

Key Factors That Influence Pet Counselor Salaries

A Pet 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Pet Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pet 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): $23,175
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $23,498
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $24,019
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $24,090
  • Expert (over 8 years): $24,209
Levels Salary
Entry Level Pet Counselor$23,175
Intermediate Level Pet Counselor$23,498
Senior Level Pet Counselor$24,019
Specialist Level Pet Counselor$24,090
Expert Level Pet Counselor$24,209

How Do Pet 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 Pet Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $25,569.
  • California: $25,472.
  • Massachusetts: $25,133.

Top Paying Cities for Pet Counselors

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: $29,128
  • San Francisco: $28,809
  • Oakland: $28,202

What Skills Can Increase a Pet Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 7.76% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Event Planning (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): Event planning is the process of managing a project such as a meeting, convention, tradeshow, ceremony, team building activity, party, or convention.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 1.09% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 7.76%
Event Planning 2.13%
Accounting 1.09%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Pet Counselor's salary.

  • Catering: Can increase your salary by up to 127%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 73%.
  • Microsoft Office: Can increase your salary by up to 58%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Catering $52,423
127%
Presentation $39,952
73%
Microsoft Office $36,488
58%

Pet Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pet Counselor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Business Services, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Pet Counselor positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Pet Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Pet Counselor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$27,712$13.020%

Pet Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pet 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$21,154
Average $23,094/year
$24,659
$1,763
Average $1,924/month
$2,055
$407
Average $444/week
$474
$10
Average $11/hour
$12
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $24,659 $2,055 $474 $12
Average $23,094 $1,924 $444 $11
25th Percentile $21,154 $1,763 $407 $10

Most common benefits for Pet Counselor

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

Common company salaries for Pet Counselor

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

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FAQ about Pet Counselor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Pet Counselor?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Pet Counselor roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.)

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