Salaries › Animal Caretaker › Kentucky
Animal Caretaker Salary in Kentucky (2026)
$14.77 per hour · take-home ≈ $25,788/year ($2,149/month) for a single filer
Kentucky ranks 34th of 51 states for Animal Caretaker pay, with a median about 9% below the national average. Of the 6,140 Animal Caretaker jobs BLS counts in Kentucky, the typical worker earns $30,720 a year — though pay ranges from $22,600 for newcomers to $47,290 at the top.
Animal Caretaker pay range in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $22,600 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $27,860 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $30,720 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $37,890 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $47,290 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 6,140 Animal Caretaker jobs in Kentucky (occupation code 39-2021, “Animal Caretakers”).
Gross vs. take-home in Kentucky
A median Animal Caretaker salary of $30,720 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Kentucky state income tax, a single filer keeps about $25,788 — an effective tax rate of 16.1%.
| Gross (median) | $30,720 |
| Federal income tax | −$1,506 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,350 |
| Kentucky state income tax | −$1,075 |
| Take-home (annual) | $25,788 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,149 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Kentucky paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Animal Caretaker make in Kentucky?
- The median Animal Caretaker salary in Kentucky is $30,720 per year ($14.77 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $27,860 and $37,890.
- What is the take-home pay for a Animal Caretaker in Kentucky?
- On the median salary of $30,720, a single filer in Kentucky takes home about $25,788 per year ($2,149 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 16.1%.
- How many Animal Caretaker jobs are there in Kentucky?
- BLS counts 6,140 Animal Caretaker jobs in Kentucky in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Animal Caretakers
Other salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky.