Animal Caretakers pay range in Houston
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $22,810 a year or less, while the top 10% make $47,990 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Houston earn between $27,980 and $38,010.
- $23K10th
- $28K25th
- $31KMedian
- $38K75th
- $48K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $34,630 | $2,886 | $16.65 |
| Median | $30,930 | $2,578 | $14.87 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $27,980 | $2,332 | $13.45 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $38,010 | $3,168 | $18.27 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Houston vs. Texas and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Houston earn 4% less than the Texas average ($35,970) and 7% less than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -13% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $34,630 | $30,930 | $22,810 | $47,990 | 4,650 |
| Texas | $35,970 | $32,730 | $23,260 | $49,660 | 20,450 |
| 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 Houston
On the average salary of $34,630, a single filer in Houston takes home about $30,005 a year, or $2,500 a month and $1,154 every two weeks. Taxes take 13% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Houston a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Houston area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.6), so the average $34,630 buys what about $35,111 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Houston ($49,410). A typical home costs $308,306, or 8.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Texas cities
Houston ranks 12th of 25 Texas metro areas for this job; Dallas pays the most ($37,840).
- Dallas$37,840
- Odessa$37,830
- Austin$37,660
- McAllen$36,340
- Midland$36,330
- Abilene$36,180
- Killeen$36,120
- San Angelo$35,930
- San Antonio$35,710
- Houston$34,630
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 Houston: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Houston?
$16.65 an hour on average, and $14.87 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Houston?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $22,810 a year and the 25th percentile is $27,980, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Houston?
About $30,005 a year ($2,500 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $34,630. Texas has no state income tax.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Houston than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% 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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX (26420). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.0%.
- 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 0.82, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.