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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animal Care Specialist in Missouri is $46,858 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.
However, an Animal Care Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Animal Care Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $50,667 | $4,222 | $974 | $24 |
| Average | $46,858 | $3,905 | $901 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,827 | $3,569 | $824 | $21 |
Petco Health and Wellness - Florissant, MO
Ensign-Bickford Industries - Montgomery City, MO
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium - Kansas City, MO
ShotVet - Chesterfield, MO
An Animal Care Specialist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Animal Care Specialist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Animal Care Specialist | $44,733 |
| Intermediate Level Animal Care Specialist | $45,041 |
| Senior Level Animal Care Specialist | $46,858 |
| Specialist Level Animal Care Specialist | $48,426 |
| Expert Level Animal Care Specialist | $48,706 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Animal Care Specialist 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 Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Animal Care Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $60,915 | $29.0 | 30% |
| Healthcare | $49,201 | $24.0 | 5% |
Understanding how an Animal Care Specialist'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $50,667 | $4,222 | $974 | $24 |
| Average | $46,858 | $3,905 | $901 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,827 | $3,569 | $824 | $21 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Animal Care Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
PIPESTONE
Butler, MO
PIPESTONE | Butler, MO
Job Description. Job Description:\n\nAnimal Care Technician - near Butler, MO ObjectiveA Swine Technician is responsible for the daily care, health, and we... more
5 Days Ago
PIPESTONE
Trenton, MO
PIPESTONE | Trenton, MO
Job Description. Job Description:\n\nAnimal Care Technician - near Trenton, MO ObjectiveA Swine Technician is responsible for the daily care, health, and w... more
5 Days Ago
PIPESTONE
Warrensburg, MO
PIPESTONE | Warrensburg, MO
Job Description. Job Description. Animal Care Technician - near Warrensburg, MO. Objective. A Swine Technician is responsible for the daily care, health, a... more
5 Days Ago
PIPESTONE
Salisbury, MO
PIPESTONE | Salisbury, MO
Job Description. Job Description:\n\nAnimal Care Technician - near Salisbury, MO ObjectiveA Swine Technician is responsible for the daily care, health, and... more
5 Days Ago
Nestlé Purina
Saint Joseph, MO
Nestlé Purina | Saint Joseph, MO
Driven by integrity and united by the people-and-pet bond, we find strong purpose in the work we do and an even greater joy in those we get to work alongsi... more
5 Days Ago
Compass Health Network
Columbia, MO
Compass Health Network | Columbia, MO
Be the Connection That Helps Patients Access the Care They Deserve. Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm. Patient Care Specialist. In our primary care t... more
5 Days Ago
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