Animal Caretaker Salary in San Diego, CA
Animal Caretakers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $37,870 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,612 take-home, or $2,634 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median animal caretaker salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,364
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,348
- Medicare (1.45%)$549
- California income tax$504
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$492
- Take-home pay$31,612
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Animal Caretaker pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,990 | $17.30 | $30,201 | $2,517 |
| 25th percentile | $36,910 | $17.75 | $30,892 | $2,574 |
| Median (50th) | $37,870 | $18.21 | $31,612 | $2,634 |
| 75th percentile | $46,430 | $22.32 | $38,036 | $3,170 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,940 | $28.34 | $47,186 | $3,932 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,870 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median animal caretaker's $31,612 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,254 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 San Diego, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.15).
Best-paying cities for animal caretakers, adjusted for cost of living
San Diego, CA ranks #19 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 |
| 19 | San Diego, CA | $37,870 | $31,612 | $28,254 |
*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 California
- San Francisco, CA — $43,640
- Los Angeles, CA — $38,520
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal caretaker make in San Diego, CA?
The median animal caretaker salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $37,870 a year, or about $18.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,910 and $46,430.
What is a animal caretaker’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $37,870 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $31,612 a year ($2,634 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $996 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a animal caretaker?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $35,360. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,254 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #19 of 26 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a animal caretaker afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 93% of a median animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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