Animal Caretakers pay range in Valdosta
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $19,750 a year or less, while the top 10% make $36,020 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Valdosta earn between $21,430 and $29,430.
- $20K10th
- $21K25th
- $23KMedian
- $29K75th
- $36K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $27,200 | $2,267 | $13.08 |
| Median | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11.06 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $21,430 | $1,786 | $10.30 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $29,430 | $2,452 | $14.15 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Valdosta vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Valdosta earn 16% less than the Georgia average ($32,250) and 27% less than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -35% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valdosta | $27,200 | $23,000 | $19,750 | $36,020 | 90 |
| 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 Valdosta
On the average salary of $27,200, a single filer in Valdosta takes home about $23,400 a year, or $1,950 a month and $900 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 Valdosta a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Valdosta area are 12% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.3), so the average $27,200 buys what about $30,814 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Valdosta ($39,110). A typical home costs $226,628, or 8.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Georgia cities
Valdosta ranks 12th 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
- Valdosta$27,200
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 Valdosta: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Valdosta?
$13.08 an hour on average, and $11.06 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Valdosta?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $19,750 a year and the 25th percentile is $21,430, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Valdosta?
About $23,400 a year ($1,950 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $27,200.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Valdosta than elsewhere?
The average here is 27% 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 Valdosta, GA (46660). 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.96, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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