Animal Care Lead Salary in the United States

How much does an Animal Care Lead make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animal Care Lead in the United States is $33,299 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $39,057
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $30,908 to $36,313
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28,732
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View as table View as graph 25% $30,908 10% $28,732 90% $39,057 75% $36,313 $33,299 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Animal Care Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $36,313 $3,026 $698 $17
Average $33,299 $2,775 $640 $16
25th Percentile $30,908 $2,576 $594 $15
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Key Factors That Influence Animal Care Lead Salaries

An Animal Care Lead'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 Do Animal Care Lead 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 Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $36,869.
  • California: $36,729.
  • Massachusetts: $36,239.

Top Paying Cities for Animal Care Leads

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: $42,000
  • San Francisco: $41,540
  • Oakland: $40,665

What Skills Can Increase an Animal Care Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.73% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Child Development (Mentioned in 9.81% Job Postings): Child development refers to the sequence of physical, language, thought and emotional changes that occur in a child from birth to the beginning of adulthood.
  • Early Childhood Education (Mentioned in 4.68% Job Postings): Early childhood education, also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children from birth up to the age of eight.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.73%
Child Development 9.81%
Early Childhood Education 4.68%
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 an Animal Care Lead's salary.
  • Motivating: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Motivating
$38,294
15%
Coordination
$36,296
9%
Problem Solving
$35,963
8%
Accountability
$35,963
8%
Customer Service
$35,630
7%
Leadership
$35,297
6%
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Animal Care Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Animal Care Lead'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 May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Animal Care Lead

Salaries for an Animal Care Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $36,476 in 2023 to around $35,489 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Animal Care Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Animal Care Lead Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$36,476
2024
$35,874
2025
$35,489
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $36,476
2024 $35,874
2025 $35,489
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Animal Care Lead

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Animal Care Lead

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

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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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