Personal care & service · SOC 39-2021
Animal caretakers
BLS projects 365,300 jobs in 2025 to become 409,400 by 2035 — +12.1%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
+12.1%
projected change to 2035
About 44,100 more jobs
62,800
openings a year
17.2% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$35,360
median annual pay
Usually entered with: high school diploma or equivalent
2025 to 2035
Employment at the start and end of the projection, in jobs.
- 2025 employment365,300
- 2035 projected409,400
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025–2035 projections.
Other personal care & service occupations
The largest occupations in the same group, by projected change to 2035.
- Childcare workers1,010,300-2.0%
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists595,000+7.7%
- Amusement and recreation attendants408,400+3.7%
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors388,400+7.3%
- Recreation workers346,900+4.3%
- Manicurists and pedicurists201,800+9.2%
- Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers124,500+0.9%
- First-line supervisors of personal service workers122,500+6.3%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.