Animal Caretakers pay range in Memphis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,780 a year or less, while the top 10% make $45,050 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Memphis earn between $27,450 and $37,460.
- $24K10th
- $27K25th
- $31KMedian
- $37K75th
- $45K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $33,910 | $2,826 | $16.30 |
| Median | $31,070 | $2,589 | $14.94 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $27,450 | $2,288 | $13.20 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $37,460 | $3,122 | $18.01 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Memphis vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Memphis earn about the same as the Tennessee average ($34,110) and 9% less than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -12% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $33,910 | $31,070 | $23,780 | $45,050 | 850 |
| Tennessee | $34,110 | $30,550 | $23,980 | $47,020 | 6,110 |
| 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 Memphis
On the average salary of $33,910, a single filer in Memphis takes home about $29,427 a year, or $2,452 a month and $1,132 every two weeks. Taxes take 13% of gross pay.
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $29,427 | $2,452 |
| Working in MS | $28,802 | $2,400 |
| Working in AR | $28,660 | $2,388 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Memphis a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Memphis area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $33,910 buys what about $36,787 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Memphis ($46,890). A typical home costs $247,229, or 7.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Tennessee cities
Memphis ranks 3rd of 10 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Nashville pays the most ($35,810).
- Nashville$35,810
- Knoxville$35,690
- Memphis$33,910
- Chattanooga$33,390
- Clarksville$32,680
- Jackson$31,290
- Kingsport$31,290
- Morristown$30,370
- Cleveland$30,230
- Johnson City$30,080
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Animal Caretakers salary in Memphis: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Memphis?
$16.30 an hour on average, and $14.94 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,780 a year and the 25th percentile is $27,450, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Memphis?
About $29,427 a year ($2,452 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $33,910. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Memphis than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR (32820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- 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 no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.81, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.