Animal Caretaker Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Animal Caretakers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $39,030 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,774 take-home, or $2,731 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median animal caretaker salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,504
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,420
- Medicare (1.45%)$566
- Arizona income tax$767
- Take-home pay$32,774
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Animal Caretaker pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,650 | $16.66 | $29,364 | $2,447 |
| 25th percentile | $36,420 | $17.51 | $30,742 | $2,562 |
| Median (50th) | $39,030 | $18.76 | $32,774 | $2,731 |
| 75th percentile | $49,880 | $23.98 | $41,220 | $3,435 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,080 | $37.06 | $61,338 | $5,111 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,030 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median animal caretaker's $32,774 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,722 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 Phoenix, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for animal caretakers, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #2 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 →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal caretaker make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median animal caretaker salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $39,030 a year, or about $18.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,420 and $49,880.
What is a animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $39,030 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $32,774 a year ($2,731 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $767 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a animal caretaker?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $35,360. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,722 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #2 of 26 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a animal caretaker afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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