Salaries › Animal Caretaker › District of Columbia
Animal Caretaker Salary in District of Columbia (2026)
$21.25 per hour · take-home ≈ $36,216/year ($3,018/month) for a single filer
District of Columbia is the highest-paying state in the country for Animal Caretakers, with a median about 30% above the national average. Of the 460 Animal Caretaker jobs BLS counts in District of Columbia, the typical worker earns $44,210 a year — though pay ranges from $37,840 for newcomers to $64,300 at the top.
Animal Caretaker pay range in District of Columbia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $37,840 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $38,290 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $44,210 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $47,730 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $64,300 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 460 Animal Caretaker jobs in District of Columbia (occupation code 39-2021, “Animal Caretakers”).
Gross vs. take-home in District of Columbia
A median Animal Caretaker salary of $44,210 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus District of Columbia state income tax, a single filer keeps about $36,216 — an effective tax rate of 18.1%.
| Gross (median) | $44,210 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,125 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,382 |
| District of Columbia state income tax | −$1,487 |
| Take-home (annual) | $36,216 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,018 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free District of Columbia paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Animal Caretaker make in District of Columbia?
- The median Animal Caretaker salary in District of Columbia is $44,210 per year ($21.25 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $38,290 and $47,730.
- What is the take-home pay for a Animal Caretaker in District of Columbia?
- On the median salary of $44,210, a single filer in District of Columbia takes home about $36,216 per year ($3,018 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.1%.
- How many Animal Caretaker jobs are there in District of Columbia?
- BLS counts 460 Animal Caretaker jobs in District of Columbia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Animal Caretakers
Other salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia.