Animal Caretaker Salary in Durham, NC
Animal Caretakers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $33,960 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,621 take-home, or $2,385 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median animal caretaker salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,895
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,106
- Medicare (1.45%)$492
- North Carolina income tax$846
- Take-home pay$28,621
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Animal Caretaker pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,530 | $11.79 | $21,340 | $1,778 |
| 25th percentile | $29,110 | $14.00 | $24,917 | $2,076 |
| Median (50th) | $33,960 | $16.33 | $28,621 | $2,385 |
| 75th percentile | $37,480 | $18.02 | $31,308 | $2,609 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,350 | $24.21 | $41,136 | $3,428 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,960 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median animal caretaker's $28,621 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,333 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 Durham, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for animal caretakers, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #39 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 |
| 39 | Durham, NC | $33,960 | $28,621 | $29,333 |
*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 North Carolina
- Asheville, NC — $33,530
- Charlotte, NC — $33,530
- Greensboro, NC — $30,700
- Raleigh, NC — $32,400
- Wilmington, NC — $29,520
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal caretaker make in Durham, NC?
The median animal caretaker salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $33,960 a year, or about $16.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,110 and $37,480.
What is a animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $33,960 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $28,621 a year ($2,385 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $846 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a animal caretaker?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $35,360. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,333 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #39 of 102 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a animal caretaker afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 61% of a median animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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