Animal Caretakers pay range in Athens
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $22,410 a year or less, while the top 10% make $51,840 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Athens earn between $27,010 and $39,860.
- $22K10th
- $27K25th
- $34KMedian
- $40K75th
- $52K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $36,480 | $3,040 | $17.54 |
| Median | $33,610 | $2,801 | $16.16 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $27,010 | $2,251 | $12.99 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $39,860 | $3,322 | $19.16 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Athens vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Athens earn 13% more than the Georgia average ($32,250) and about the same as the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | $36,480 | $33,610 | $22,410 | $51,840 | 520 |
| Georgia | $32,250 | $29,860 | $21,370 | $47,260 | 9,110 |
| 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 Athens
On the average salary of $36,480, a single filer in Athens takes home about $30,420 a year, or $2,535 a month and $1,170 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 (2026 rules).
Is Athens a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Athens area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.3), so the average $36,480 buys what about $39,082 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Athens ($41,220). A typical home costs $373,118, or 10.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Georgia cities
Athens ranks 1st of 13 Georgia metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Athens$36,480
- Atlanta$32,750
- Gainesville$32,100
- Augusta$31,410
- Savannah$31,160
- Brunswick$30,620
- Macon$29,720
- Columbus$29,250
- Warner Robins$28,690
- Dalton$27,950
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 Athens: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Athens?
$17.54 an hour on average, and $16.16 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Athens?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $22,410 a year and the 25th percentile is $27,010, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Athens?
About $30,420 a year ($2,535 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $36,480.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Athens than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as 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 Athens-Clarke County, GA (12020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.4%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 3.13, this job is 3.1 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.