Salaries › Animal Caretaker › Washington
Animal Caretaker Salary in Washington (2026)
$19.51 per hour · take-home ≈ $34,778/year ($2,898/month) for a single filer
Washington is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Animal Caretakers (2nd of 51), with a median about 20% above the national average. Of the 6,620 Animal Caretaker jobs BLS counts in Washington, the typical worker earns $40,570 a year — though pay ranges from $36,100 for newcomers to $64,580 at the top.
Animal Caretaker pay range in Washington
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $36,100 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $37,140 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $40,570 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $48,030 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $64,580 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 6,620 Animal Caretaker jobs in Washington (occupation code 39-2021, “Animal Caretakers”).
Gross vs. take-home in Washington
A median Animal Caretaker salary of $40,570 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Washington), a single filer keeps about $34,778 — an effective tax rate of 14.3%.
| Gross (median) | $40,570 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,688 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,104 |
| Washington state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $34,778 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,898 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Washington paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Animal Caretaker make in Washington?
- The median Animal Caretaker salary in Washington is $40,570 per year ($19.51 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $37,140 and $48,030.
- What is the take-home pay for a Animal Caretaker in Washington?
- On the median salary of $40,570, a single filer in Washington takes home about $34,778 per year ($2,898 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 14.3%.
- How many Animal Caretaker jobs are there in Washington?
- BLS counts 6,620 Animal Caretaker jobs in Washington in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Animal Caretakers
Other salaries in Washington
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 Washington 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 Washington.