Animal Caretaker Salary in Washington, DC
Animal Caretakers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $37,710 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,383 take-home, or $2,615 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median animal caretaker salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,345
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,338
- Medicare (1.45%)$547
- District of Columbia income tax$1,097
- Take-home pay$31,383
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Animal Caretaker pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,160 | $14.50 | $25,770 | $2,147 |
| 25th percentile | $34,670 | $16.67 | $29,123 | $2,427 |
| Median (50th) | $37,710 | $18.13 | $31,383 | $2,615 |
| 75th percentile | $44,420 | $21.36 | $36,372 | $3,031 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,020 | $26.45 | $44,253 | $3,688 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,710 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median animal caretaker's $31,383 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,823 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.2× 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
Washington, DC ranks #14 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 |
| 14 | Washington, DC | $37,710 | $31,383 | $28,823 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median animal caretaker salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $37,710 a year, or about $18.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,670 and $44,420.
What is a animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $37,710 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $31,383 a year ($2,615 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,097 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a animal caretaker?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $35,360. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,823 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #14 of 26 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a animal caretaker afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 76% of a median animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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