Salaries › Animal Caretaker › California
Animal Caretaker Salary in California (2026)
$18.60 per hour · take-home ≈ $32,585/year ($2,715/month) for a single filer
California is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Animal Caretakers (5th of 51), with a median about 14% above the national average. Of the 25,710 Animal Caretaker jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $38,700 a year — though pay ranges from $35,640 for newcomers to $56,270 at the top.
Animal Caretaker pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $35,640 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $36,810 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $38,700 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $45,160 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $56,270 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 25,710 Animal Caretaker jobs in California (occupation code 39-2021, “Animal Caretakers”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Animal Caretaker salary of $38,700 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $32,585 — an effective tax rate of 15.8%.
| Gross (median) | $38,700 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,464 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,961 |
| California state income tax | −$690 |
| Take-home (annual) | $32,585 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,715 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Animal Caretaker make in California?
- The median Animal Caretaker salary in California is $38,700 per year ($18.60 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $36,810 and $45,160.
- What is the take-home pay for a Animal Caretaker in California?
- On the median salary of $38,700, a single filer in California takes home about $32,585 per year ($2,715 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 15.8%.
- How many Animal Caretaker jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 25,710 Animal Caretaker jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Animal Caretakers
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.