Animal Caretakers pay range in Dalton
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $20,800 a year or less, while the top 10% make $42,340 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Dalton earn between $22,120 and $28,850.
- $21K10th
- $22K25th
- $26KMedian
- $29K75th
- $42K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $27,950 | $2,329 | $13.44 |
| Median | $26,330 | $2,194 | $12.66 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $22,120 | $1,843 | $10.63 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $28,850 | $2,404 | $13.87 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Dalton vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Dalton earn 13% less than the Georgia average ($32,250) and 25% less than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -26% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton | $27,950 | $26,330 | $20,800 | $42,340 | 70 |
| 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 Dalton
On the average salary of $27,950, a single filer in Dalton takes home about $23,981 a year, or $1,998 a month and $922 every two weeks. Taxes take 14% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Dalton a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Dalton area are 10% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.8), so the average $27,950 buys what about $31,109 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Dalton ($42,210). A typical home costs $250,372, or 9.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Georgia cities
Dalton ranks 10th of 13 Georgia metro areas for this job; Athens pays the most ($36,480).
- 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 Dalton: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Dalton?
$13.44 an hour on average, and $12.66 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Dalton?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $20,800 a year and the 25th percentile is $22,120, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Dalton?
About $23,981 a year ($1,998 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $27,950.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Dalton than elsewhere?
The average here is 25% 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 Dalton, GA (19140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.0%.
- 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 state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.63, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.63).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.