Prevailing Wage for Animal Caretakers
Prevailing wage for Animal Caretakers (SOC 39-2021) is set by the Department of Labor using Occupational Employment Statistics surveys. Whether you work as an Animal Care Giver (ACG), an Aquarist, or a Kennel Attendant, DOL assigns one of four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts significantly from city to city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level caretakers with limited experience, typically performing routine tasks such as feeding, bathing, and cleaning under direct supervision. Workers at this level follow established procedures and require frequent guidance from senior staff.
Level 2 applies to qualified caretakers with some independent experience in animal care routines, basic health monitoring, and record-keeping. This is the most common filing level for Animal Caretakers, reflecting typical mid-career competency in kennel, shelter, or zoo settings.
Level 3 covers experienced caretakers who handle complex care tasks, may supervise junior staff, and work with specialized animals or species. They apply independent judgment and have a track record across multiple care environments or animal populations.
Level 4 applies to fully competent senior caretakers in lead or specialist roles, such as head aquarists or senior zoo animal technicians. They set standards, train others, and may hold specialized certifications relevant to the species or facility.
Prevailing Wage for Animal Caretakers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Animal Caretakers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your title maps to SOC 39-2021
Job titles like Dog Groomer, Aquarist, and Kennel Attendant all fall under SOC 39-2021. If your offer letter uses a vague title such as Animal Handler, confirm with the employer that their LCA cites this SOC code, not a lower-wage agricultural classification.
Expect wide gaps between California and Puerto Rico postings
DOL prevailing wages for this occupation vary sharply by worksite. San Jose and Seattle metros carry significantly higher wage floors than markets in Puerto Rico, meaning the same role at a national shelter chain can carry a very different required minimum depending on which facility you are assigned to.
Watch how signing bonuses affect base wage compliance
Some animal care employers supplement lower base salaries with one-time signing bonuses or benefits tied to facility type. DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against the base hourly or annual wage on the LCA, so bonuses and non-cash perks do not count toward meeting the floor.
Find employers who have sponsored Animal Caretakers before
Migrate Mate shows which employers have a history of sponsoring this occupation, filtering by visa type so you can identify kennels, zoos, and aquariums that have actually filed for candidates in this SOC rather than those that may be new to sponsorship.
Jobs for Animal Caretakers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Animal CaretakersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 39-2021.00 alongside Animal Caretakers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Animal Care Giver (ACG) Prevailing Wage
Animal Care Giver (ACG) Prevailing Wage
Animal Care Giver (ACG) positions fall under SOC 39-2021.00 (Animal Caretakers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Aquarist Prevailing Wage
Aquarist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Aquarist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 39-2021.00 (Animal Caretakers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Dog Bather Prevailing Wage
Dog Bather Prevailing Wage
Dog Bather is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 39-2021.00 (Animal Caretakers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Dog Groomer Prevailing Wage
Dog Groomer Prevailing Wage
Dog Groomer positions fall under SOC 39-2021.00 (Animal Caretakers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Groomer Prevailing Wage
Groomer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Groomer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 39-2021.00 (Animal Caretakers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Kennel Attendant Prevailing Wage
Kennel Attendant Prevailing Wage
Kennel Attendant is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 39-2021.00 (Animal Caretakers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech) Prevailing Wage
Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech) Prevailing Wage
Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech) positions fall under SOC 39-2021.00 (Animal Caretakers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Pet Groomer Prevailing Wage
Pet Groomer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Pet Groomer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 39-2021.00 (Animal Caretakers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Pet Stylist Prevailing Wage
Pet Stylist Prevailing Wage
Pet Stylist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 39-2021.00 (Animal Caretakers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Zookeeper Prevailing Wage
Zookeeper Prevailing Wage
Zookeeper positions fall under SOC 39-2021.00 (Animal Caretakers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Animal Caretakers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate prevailing wages for each SOC code and metropolitan area. For Animal Caretakers (SOC 39-2021), OFLC publishes four wage levels derived from those surveys. Employers must certify on the Labor Condition Application that they will pay at least the prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
The four levels reflect experience and responsibility. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 is qualified with some independent work; Level 3 is experienced with complex duties or supervisory responsibilities; Level 4 is fully competent in a senior or lead capacity. Your level is determined by the job duties described in the LCA and petition, not your personal preference. Review the job description carefully and compare it to DOL's published level definitions on the OFLC Wage Search.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Animal Caretakers role vary so much between cities?
DOL calculates wages using regional Occupational Employment Statistics surveys, so wage floors reflect local labor market conditions. High cost-of-living metros like San Jose and San Francisco produce higher survey benchmarks than lower-wage markets. Critically, the prevailing wage is tied to the worksite address listed on the LCA, not the employer's headquarters. A national animal shelter chain must use the prevailing wage for each city where a sponsored employee actually works.
What happens if a job offer for a sponsored position is below the prevailing wage?
If an employer files an LCA with a wage below the applicable prevailing wage, OFLC will not certify the application. For H-1B or green card petitions, USCIS and DOL require the offered wage to meet or exceed the prevailing wage for the stated level and worksite. An offer below the floor cannot be accepted as-is for a sponsored position; the employer must either raise the wage or reclassify the role to a lower applicable level with supporting documentation.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Animal Caretakers at a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, select SOC code 39-2021, and enter the metropolitan area where the job is located. The tool returns all four wage levels for that area based on the current DOL wage determination. Cross-check the level your employer has selected against your actual job duties. You can also review O*NET for Animal Caretakers to understand how duties map to experience levels. Migrate Mate lists employers with a documented history of sponsoring this occupation, making it easier to target facilities already familiar with the LCA process.
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