Animal Caretaker Salary in Kansas City, MO
Animal Caretakers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median $32,150 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,439 take-home, or $2,287 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median animal caretaker salary in Kansas City, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,678
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,993
- Medicare (1.45%)$466
- Missouri income tax$574
- Take-home pay$27,439
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
Living in Kansas City, MO? City residents also pay Kansas City, MO’s Earnings Tax — about $322 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $27,117 ($2,260 a month). Choose “Kansas City, MO” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Kansas City, MO-KS metro spans Missouri, Kansas. 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 Kansas City, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,360 | $12.19 | $22,239 | $1,853 |
| 25th percentile | $29,410 | $14.14 | $25,366 | $2,114 |
| Median (50th) | $32,150 | $15.46 | $27,439 | $2,287 |
| 75th percentile | $38,150 | $18.34 | $31,978 | $2,665 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,100 | $23.61 | $40,261 | $3,355 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,150 buys in Kansas City, MO
Prices in Kansas City, MO are 7.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median animal caretaker's $27,439 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,650 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Kansas City, MO 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
Kansas City, MO ranks #9 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 |
| 9 | Kansas City, MO | $32,150 | $27,439 | $29,650 |
*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.
Animal Caretaker salaries elsewhere in Missouri
- St. Louis, MO — $31,530
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal caretaker make in Kansas City, MO?
The median animal caretaker salary in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $32,150 a year, or about $15.46 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,410 and $38,150.
What is a animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Kansas City, MO?
On the median $32,150 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $27,439 a year ($2,287 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $574 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Kansas City, MO a good place to work as a animal caretaker?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $35,360. Local prices are 7.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,650 would in a typical U.S. city. Kansas City, MO ranks #9 of 26 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a animal caretaker afford rent in Kansas City, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Kansas City, MO is $1,193 a month ($1,355 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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