Salaries › Animal Caretaker › Tennessee
Animal Caretaker Salary in Tennessee (2026)
$14.69 per hour · take-home ≈ $26,727/year ($2,227/month) for a single filer
Tennessee ranks 35th of 51 states for Animal Caretaker pay, with a median about 10% below the national average. Of the 6,110 Animal Caretaker jobs BLS counts in Tennessee, the typical worker earns $30,550 a year — though pay ranges from $23,980 for newcomers to $47,020 at the top.
Animal Caretaker pay range in Tennessee
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $23,980 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $28,110 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $30,550 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $36,170 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $47,020 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 6,110 Animal Caretaker jobs in Tennessee (occupation code 39-2021, “Animal Caretakers”).
Gross vs. take-home in Tennessee
A median Animal Caretaker salary of $30,550 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Tennessee), a single filer keeps about $26,727 — an effective tax rate of 12.5%.
| Gross (median) | $30,550 |
| Federal income tax | −$1,486 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,337 |
| Tennessee state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $26,727 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,227 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Tennessee paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Animal Caretaker make in Tennessee?
- The median Animal Caretaker salary in Tennessee is $30,550 per year ($14.69 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $28,110 and $36,170.
- What is the take-home pay for a Animal Caretaker in Tennessee?
- On the median salary of $30,550, a single filer in Tennessee takes home about $26,727 per year ($2,227 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 12.5%.
- How many Animal Caretaker jobs are there in Tennessee?
- BLS counts 6,110 Animal Caretaker jobs in Tennessee in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Animal Caretakers
Other salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee.