Animal Caretaker Salary in Denver, CO
Animal Caretakers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $37,640 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,476 take-home, or $2,623 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median animal caretaker salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,337
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,334
- Medicare (1.45%)$546
- Colorado income tax$948
- Take-home pay$31,476
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Animal Caretaker pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,580 | $17.11 | $29,911 | $2,493 |
| 25th percentile | $36,390 | $17.50 | $30,527 | $2,544 |
| Median (50th) | $37,640 | $18.10 | $31,476 | $2,623 |
| 75th percentile | $44,240 | $21.27 | $36,489 | $3,041 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,300 | $26.59 | $44,889 | $3,741 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,640 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median animal caretaker's $31,476 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,756 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Denver, CO has 1.3× 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
Denver, CO ranks #7 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 |
*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 Denver, CO?
The median animal caretaker salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $37,640 a year, or about $18.10 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,390 and $44,240.
What is a animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $37,640 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $31,476 a year ($2,623 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $948 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a animal caretaker?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $35,360. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,756 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #7 of 26 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a animal caretaker afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 67% of a median animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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