Salaries › Animal Caretaker › New Jersey
Animal Caretaker Salary in New Jersey (2026)
$17.24 per hour · take-home ≈ $30,413/year ($2,534/month) for a single filer
New Jersey ranks 17th of 51 states for Animal Caretaker pay, with a median about 6% above the national average. Of the 5,890 Animal Caretaker jobs BLS counts in New Jersey, the typical worker earns $35,850 a year — though pay ranges from $32,220 for newcomers to $49,620 at the top.
Animal Caretaker pay range in New Jersey
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $32,220 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $34,110 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $35,850 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $42,340 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $49,620 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 5,890 Animal Caretaker jobs in New Jersey (occupation code 39-2021, “Animal Caretakers”).
Gross vs. take-home in New Jersey
A median Animal Caretaker salary of $35,850 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus New Jersey state income tax, a single filer keeps about $30,413 — an effective tax rate of 15.2%.
| Gross (median) | $35,850 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,122 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,743 |
| New Jersey state income tax | −$572 |
| Take-home (annual) | $30,413 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,534 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free New Jersey paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Animal Caretaker make in New Jersey?
- The median Animal Caretaker salary in New Jersey is $35,850 per year ($17.24 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $34,110 and $42,340.
- What is the take-home pay for a Animal Caretaker in New Jersey?
- On the median salary of $35,850, a single filer in New Jersey takes home about $30,413 per year ($2,534 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 15.2%.
- How many Animal Caretaker jobs are there in New Jersey?
- BLS counts 5,890 Animal Caretaker jobs in New Jersey in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Animal Caretakers
Other salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey.