Animal Caretaker Salary in Boulder, CO
Animal Caretakers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $37,720 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,537 take-home, or $2,628 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median animal caretaker salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,346
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,339
- Medicare (1.45%)$547
- Colorado income tax$951
- Take-home pay$31,537
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Animal Caretaker pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,510 | $17.07 | $29,858 | $2,488 |
| 25th percentile | $36,800 | $17.69 | $30,838 | $2,570 |
| Median (50th) | $37,720 | $18.13 | $31,537 | $2,628 |
| 75th percentile | $43,440 | $20.88 | $35,881 | $2,990 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,050 | $28.87 | $48,496 | $4,041 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,720 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median animal caretaker's $31,537 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,977 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boulder, CO has 1.5× 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
Boulder, CO ranks #20 of 102 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 | San Jose, CA | $44,070 | $36,265 | $32,842 |
| 3 | Tucson, AZ | $36,870 | $31,092 | $32,088 |
| 4 | Ocala, FL | $34,930 | $30,246 | $31,760 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $39,030 | $32,774 | $31,722 |
| 6 | Portland, ME | $38,580 | $31,733 | $31,154 |
| 7 | Lexington, KY | $34,590 | $28,880 | $31,091 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $43,640 | $35,942 | $31,089 |
| 20 | Boulder, CO | $37,720 | $31,537 | $29,977 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 102 metros →
Animal Caretaker salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Denver, CO — $37,640
- Colorado Springs, CO — $35,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal caretaker make in Boulder, CO?
The median animal caretaker salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $37,720 a year, or about $18.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,800 and $43,440.
What is a animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $37,720 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $31,537 a year ($2,628 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $951 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a animal caretaker?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $35,360. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,977 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #20 of 102 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a animal caretaker afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 68% of a median animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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