Animal Caretaker salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
An animal caretaker earns a median of $35,360 a year ($17.00 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $37,300. About 266,910 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $35,360
- Gross pay
- $1,360.00
- Federal income tax
- −$79.35
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$84.32
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$19.72
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,176.61
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $35,360
- Federal
- $2,063
- FICA
- $2,705
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $30,592
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Animal Caretaker salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $44,210 | $46,510 | 460 |
| Washington | $40,570 | $46,160 | 6,620 |
| Hawaii | $40,130 | $44,620 | 570 |
| Massachusetts | $39,650 | $45,080 | 6,900 |
| California | $38,700 | $42,730 | 25,710 |
| Arizona | $38,180 | $44,630 | 6,330 |
| New York | $37,840 | $40,540 | 12,470 |
| Colorado | $37,430 | $41,010 | 6,290 |
| Connecticut | $37,310 | $42,710 | 3,000 |
| Maine | $37,230 | $39,790 | 1,430 |
| Rhode Island | $37,120 | $42,010 | 1,020 |
| Maryland | $36,780 | $41,820 | 5,570 |
| Alaska | $36,640 | $40,460 | 550 |
| Oregon | $36,580 | $40,380 | 3,470 |
| Minnesota | $36,430 | $38,320 | 4,250 |
| Vermont | $36,090 | $38,460 | 430 |
| New Jersey | $35,850 | $39,940 | 5,890 |
| Illinois | $35,570 | $38,670 | 11,070 |
| New Hampshire | $34,790 | $37,160 | 1,810 |
| Utah | $34,750 | $37,600 | 2,350 |
| Virginia | $34,380 | $36,070 | 10,070 |
| Montana | $34,210 | $36,170 | 1,200 |
| Florida | $34,150 | $36,820 | 17,210 |
| North Dakota | $34,040 | $39,460 | 770 |
| Delaware | $33,910 | $35,940 | 1,230 |
| New Mexico | $33,570 | $35,050 | 1,710 |
| Texas | $32,730 | $35,970 | 20,450 |
| Idaho | $32,170 | $34,970 | 1,760 |
| Nebraska | $31,680 | $37,610 | 2,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,360 | $34,110 | 9,910 |
| South Carolina | $31,280 | $33,640 | 4,090 |
| Missouri | $31,230 | $34,500 | 5,820 |
| North Carolina | $30,870 | $33,870 | 9,730 |
| Kentucky | $30,720 | $34,070 | 6,140 |
| Tennessee | $30,550 | $34,110 | 6,110 |
| South Dakota | $30,390 | $33,700 | 1,110 |
| Michigan | $30,320 | $33,850 | 6,290 |
| Nevada | $30,320 | $34,400 | 2,470 |
| Ohio | $30,310 | $34,690 | 9,350 |
| Arkansas | $30,230 | $34,110 | 2,040 |
| Wisconsin | $30,160 | $34,330 | 5,720 |
| Iowa | $30,080 | $32,900 | 3,480 |
| Indiana | $29,990 | $31,900 | 6,420 |
| Georgia | $29,860 | $32,250 | 9,110 |
| Kansas | $29,830 | $34,130 | 3,000 |
| Wyoming | $29,080 | $34,150 | 460 |
| Oklahoma | $28,940 | $31,020 | 3,170 |
| West Virginia | $28,550 | $31,550 | 1,160 |
| Alabama | $28,330 | $31,300 | 4,100 |
| Louisiana | $27,910 | $29,840 | 2,660 |
| Mississippi | $26,970 | $28,270 | 1,900 |
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BLS occupation: Animal Caretakers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 39-2021). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an animal caretaker make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $17.00; the average is $17.94.
Which state pays animal caretakers the most?
District of Columbia ($44,210 median), followed by Washington and Hawaii.
What is the salary range for an animal caretaker?
The bottom 10% earn under $27,250 and the top 10% earn over $50,060 a year.
How much is $35,360 after taxes?
About $30,592 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $29,735 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.