Animal Caretaker Salary in Lexington, KY
Animal Caretakers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $34,590 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,880 take-home, or $2,407 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median animal caretaker salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,971
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,145
- Medicare (1.45%)$502
- Kentucky income tax$1,093
- Take-home pay$28,880
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Animal Caretaker pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,540 | $11.32 | $20,289 | $1,691 |
| 25th percentile | $29,100 | $13.99 | $24,661 | $2,055 |
| Median (50th) | $34,590 | $16.63 | $28,880 | $2,407 |
| 75th percentile | $38,690 | $18.60 | $32,031 | $2,669 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,370 | $22.77 | $38,701 | $3,225 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,590 buys in Lexington, KY
Prices in Lexington, KY are 7.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median animal caretaker's $28,880 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,091 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lexington, KY has 4.9× 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
Lexington, KY ranks #3 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 Lexington, KY?
The median animal caretaker salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $34,590 a year, or about $16.63 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,100 and $38,690.
What is a animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $34,590 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $28,880 a year ($2,407 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,093 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a animal caretaker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $35,360. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,091 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #3 of 26 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a animal caretaker afford rent in Lexington, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lexington, KY is $1,079 a month ($1,272 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.