Animal Caretaker Salary in Washington, DC
Animal Caretakers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $37,710 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,383 take-home, or $2,615 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median animal caretaker salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,345
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,338
- Medicare (1.45%)$547
- District of Columbia income tax$1,097
- Take-home pay$31,383
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Animal Caretaker pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,160 | $14.50 | $25,770 | $2,147 |
| 25th percentile | $34,670 | $16.67 | $29,123 | $2,427 |
| Median (50th) | $37,710 | $18.13 | $31,383 | $2,615 |
| 75th percentile | $44,420 | $21.36 | $36,372 | $3,031 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,020 | $26.45 | $44,253 | $3,688 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,710 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median animal caretaker's $31,383 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,823 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.2× the national concentration of animal caretaker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for animal caretakers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #14 of 26 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,060 | $37,582 | $33,817 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | $39,030 | $32,774 | $31,722 |
| 3 | Lexington, KY | $34,590 | $28,880 | $31,091 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $43,640 | $35,942 | $31,089 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $35,040 | $30,335 | $30,933 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $39,850 | $32,427 | $29,951 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $37,640 | $31,476 | $29,756 |
| 8 | Orlando, FL | $34,830 | $30,166 | $29,744 |
| 14 | Washington, DC | $37,710 | $31,383 | $28,823 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 26 metros →
About the job: animal caretakers
Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +12.1% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal caretaker make in Washington, DC?
The median animal caretaker salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $37,710 a year, or about $18.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,670 and $44,420.
What is a animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $37,710 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $31,383 a year ($2,615 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,097 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a animal caretaker?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $35,360. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,823 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #14 of 26 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a animal caretaker afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 76% of a median animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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