As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animal Care Tech in South Dakota is $36,967 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.
However, an Animal Care Tech's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Animal Care Tech Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $769 | $19 |
| Average | $36,967 | $3,081 | $711 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,155 | $2,763 | $638 | $16 |
PIPESTONE - Saint Lawrence, SD
MyJobsCorner - Sioux Falls, SD
PIPESTONE - Colton, SD
Encompass Health - Sioux Falls, SD
An Animal Care Tech'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 Tech'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 Tech | $36,597 |
| Intermediate Level Animal Care Tech | $37,328 |
| Senior Level Animal Care Tech | $38,664 |
| Specialist Level Animal Care Tech | $38,807 |
| Expert Level Animal Care Tech | $38,902 |
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 Teches. 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 Tech roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Chemicals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Animal Care Tech positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Animal Care Tech as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $48,058 | $23.0 | 30% |
| Chemicals | $40,664 | $20.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Animal Care Tech'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 | $40,000 | $3,333 | $769 | $19 |
| Average | $36,967 | $3,081 | $711 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,155 | $2,763 | $638 | $16 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Animal Care Tech job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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