Salaries › Animal Caretaker › Illinois
Animal Caretaker Salary in Illinois (2026)
$17.10 per hour · take-home ≈ $29,000/year ($2,417/month) for a single filer
Illinois ranks 18th of 51 states for Animal Caretaker pay, with a median about 5% above the national average. Of the 11,070 Animal Caretaker jobs BLS counts in Illinois, the typical worker earns $35,570 a year — though pay ranges from $31,200 for newcomers to $50,160 at the top.
Animal Caretaker pay range in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $31,200 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $32,080 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $35,570 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $37,840 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $50,160 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 11,070 Animal Caretaker jobs in Illinois (occupation code 39-2021, “Animal Caretakers”).
Gross vs. take-home in Illinois
A median Animal Caretaker salary of $35,570 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Illinois state income tax, a single filer keeps about $29,000 — an effective tax rate of 18.5%.
| Gross (median) | $35,570 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,088 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,721 |
| Illinois state income tax | −$1,761 |
| Take-home (annual) | $29,000 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,417 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Illinois paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Animal Caretaker make in Illinois?
- The median Animal Caretaker salary in Illinois is $35,570 per year ($17.10 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $32,080 and $37,840.
- What is the take-home pay for a Animal Caretaker in Illinois?
- On the median salary of $35,570, a single filer in Illinois takes home about $29,000 per year ($2,417 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.5%.
- How many Animal Caretaker jobs are there in Illinois?
- BLS counts 11,070 Animal Caretaker jobs in Illinois in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Animal Caretakers
Other salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois 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 Illinois.