Animal Caretakers pay range in Muskegon
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $25,960 a year or less, while the top 10% make $40,350 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Muskegon earn between $27,500 and $30,140.
- $26K10th
- $28K25th
- $29KMedian
- $30K75th
- $40K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $30,740 | $2,562 | $14.78 |
| Median | $28,560 | $2,380 | $13.73 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $27,500 | $2,292 | $13.22 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $30,140 | $2,512 | $14.49 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Muskegon vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Muskegon earn 9% less than the Michigan average ($33,850) and 18% less than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -19% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon | $30,740 | $28,560 | $25,960 | $40,350 | 160 |
| Michigan | $33,850 | $30,320 | $27,770 | $45,480 | 6,290 |
| United States | $37,300 | $35,360 | $27,250 | $50,060 | 266,910 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Animal Caretakers salary after taxes in Muskegon
On the average salary of $30,740, a single filer in Muskegon takes home about $25,570 a year, or $2,131 a month and $983 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Muskegon's local income tax (1%).
Is Muskegon a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Muskegon area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.5), so the average $30,740 buys what about $33,226 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Muskegon ($46,060). A typical home costs $255,271, or 8.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Michigan cities
Muskegon ranks 15th of 15 Michigan metro areas for this job; Battle Creek pays the most ($35,740).
- Battle Creek$35,740
- Detroit$34,770
- Traverse City$34,610
- Ann Arbor$34,130
- Lansing$34,120
- Grand Rapids$33,750
- Flint$33,120
- Kalamazoo$33,040
- Saginaw$32,740
- Muskegon$30,740
Highest-paying cities for animal caretakers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($47,930).
- San Jose, CA$47,930
- Seattle, WA$47,810
- San Francisco, CA$46,960
- Phoenix, AZ$46,050
- Barnstable, MA$45,910
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Animal Caretakers salary in Muskegon: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Muskegon?
$14.78 an hour on average, and $13.73 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Muskegon?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $25,960 a year and the 25th percentile is $27,500, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Muskegon?
About $25,570 a year ($2,131 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $30,740. Includes Muskegon's local income tax (1%).
Do animal caretakers earn more in Muskegon than elsewhere?
The average here is 18% less than the U.S. average for this job ($37,300).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 39-2021; area Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI (34740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Muskegon's local income tax (1%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.46, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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