Salaries › Animal Caretaker › Iowa
Animal Caretaker Salary in Iowa (2026)
$14.46 per hour · take-home ≈ $25,206/year ($2,101/month) for a single filer
Iowa ranks 42nd of 51 states for Animal Caretaker pay, with a median about 11% below the national average. Of the 3,480 Animal Caretaker jobs BLS counts in Iowa, the typical worker earns $30,080 a year — though pay ranges from $22,450 for newcomers to $45,610 at the top.
Animal Caretaker pay range in Iowa
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $22,450 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $27,240 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $30,080 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $35,140 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $45,610 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,480 Animal Caretaker jobs in Iowa (occupation code 39-2021, “Animal Caretakers”).
Gross vs. take-home in Iowa
A median Animal Caretaker salary of $30,080 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Iowa state income tax, a single filer keeps about $25,206 — an effective tax rate of 16.2%.
| Gross (median) | $30,080 |
| Federal income tax | −$1,430 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,301 |
| Iowa state income tax | −$1,143 |
| Take-home (annual) | $25,206 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,101 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Iowa paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Animal Caretaker make in Iowa?
- The median Animal Caretaker salary in Iowa is $30,080 per year ($14.46 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $27,240 and $35,140.
- What is the take-home pay for a Animal Caretaker in Iowa?
- On the median salary of $30,080, a single filer in Iowa takes home about $25,206 per year ($2,101 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 16.2%.
- How many Animal Caretaker jobs are there in Iowa?
- BLS counts 3,480 Animal Caretaker jobs in Iowa in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Animal Caretakers
Other salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa 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 Iowa.