Animal Caretakers pay range in Lexington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,540 a year or less, while the top 10% make $47,370 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Lexington earn between $29,100 and $38,690.
- $24K10th
- $29K25th
- $35KMedian
- $39K75th
- $47K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $35,770 | $2,981 | $17.20 |
| Median | $34,590 | $2,882 | $16.63 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $29,100 | $2,425 | $13.99 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $38,690 | $3,224 | $18.60 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Lexington vs. Kentucky and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Lexington earn 5% more than the Kentucky average ($34,070) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -2% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $35,770 | $34,590 | $23,540 | $47,370 | 2,400 |
| Kentucky | $34,070 | $30,720 | $22,600 | $47,290 | 6,140 |
| 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 Lexington
On the average salary of $35,770, a single filer in Lexington takes home about $28,803 a year, or $2,400 a month and $1,108 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
Is Lexington a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Lexington area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.9), so the average $35,770 buys what about $38,508 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Lexington ($48,620). A typical home costs $327,671, or 9.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Kentucky cities
Lexington ranks 1st of 6 Kentucky metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Lexington$35,770
- Paducah$34,560
- Louisville$34,480
- Elizabethtown$33,810
- Owensboro$32,320
- Bowling Green$31,100
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 Lexington: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Lexington?
$17.20 an hour on average, and $16.63 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Lexington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,540 a year and the 25th percentile is $29,100, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Lexington?
About $28,803 a year ($2,400 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $35,770. Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
Do animal caretakers earn more in Lexington than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY (30460). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.9%.
- 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). Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 4.88, this job is 4.9 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.