Salaries › Animal Caretaker › North Carolina
Animal Caretaker Salary in North Carolina (2026)
$14.84 per hour · take-home ≈ $26,261/year ($2,188/month) for a single filer
North Carolina ranks 33rd of 51 states for Animal Caretaker pay, with a median about 9% below the national average. Of the 9,730 Animal Caretaker jobs BLS counts in North Carolina, the typical worker earns $30,870 a year — though pay ranges from $23,210 for newcomers to $46,120 at the top.
Animal Caretaker pay range in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $23,210 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $28,540 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $30,870 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $35,990 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $46,120 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 9,730 Animal Caretaker jobs in North Carolina (occupation code 39-2021, “Animal Caretakers”).
Gross vs. take-home in North Carolina
A median Animal Caretaker salary of $30,870 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus North Carolina state income tax, a single filer keeps about $26,261 — an effective tax rate of 14.9%.
| Gross (median) | $30,870 |
| Federal income tax | −$1,524 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,362 |
| North Carolina state income tax | −$723 |
| Take-home (annual) | $26,261 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,188 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free North Carolina paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Animal Caretaker make in North Carolina?
- The median Animal Caretaker salary in North Carolina is $30,870 per year ($14.84 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $28,540 and $35,990.
- What is the take-home pay for a Animal Caretaker in North Carolina?
- On the median salary of $30,870, a single filer in North Carolina takes home about $26,261 per year ($2,188 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 14.9%.
- How many Animal Caretaker jobs are there in North Carolina?
- BLS counts 9,730 Animal Caretaker jobs in North Carolina in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Animal Caretakers
Other salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina.