Animal Caretaker Salary in Chicago, IL
Animal Caretakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $36,110 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,552 take-home, or $2,463 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median animal caretaker salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,153
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,239
- Medicare (1.45%)$524
- Illinois income tax$1,643
- Take-home pay$29,552
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. 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 Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $34,160 | $16.42 | $28,081 | $2,340 |
| Median (50th) | $36,110 | $17.36 | $29,552 | $2,463 |
| 75th percentile | $38,030 | $18.28 | $30,999 | $2,583 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,770 | $26.81 | $44,375 | $3,698 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,110 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median animal caretaker's $29,552 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,526 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Animal Caretaker jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for animal caretakers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #15 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 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $36,110 | $29,552 | $28,526 |
*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 Chicago, IL?
The median animal caretaker salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $36,110 a year, or about $17.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,160 and $38,030.
What is a animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $36,110 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $29,552 a year ($2,463 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,643 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a animal caretaker?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $35,360. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,526 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #15 of 26 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a animal caretaker afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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