Animal Caretakers pay range in Chattanooga
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,350 a year or less, while the top 10% make $44,670 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Chattanooga earn between $28,070 and $35,590.
- $23K10th
- $28K25th
- $30KMedian
- $36K75th
- $45K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $33,390 | $2,782 | $16.05 |
| Median | $30,320 | $2,527 | $14.58 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $28,070 | $2,339 | $13.50 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $35,590 | $2,966 | $17.11 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Chattanooga vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Chattanooga earn about the same as the Tennessee average ($34,110) and 10% less than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -14% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $33,390 | $30,320 | $23,350 | $44,670 | 560 |
| Tennessee | $34,110 | $30,550 | $23,980 | $47,020 | 6,110 |
| 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 Chattanooga
On the average salary of $33,390, a single filer in Chattanooga takes home about $29,009 a year, or $2,417 a month and $1,116 every two weeks. Taxes take 13% of gross pay.
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $29,009 | $2,417 |
| Working in GA | $28,091 | $2,341 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Chattanooga a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chattanooga area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.5), so the average $33,390 buys what about $36,506 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Chattanooga ($46,700). A typical home costs $326,370, or 9.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Tennessee cities
Chattanooga ranks 4th of 10 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Nashville pays the most ($35,810).
- Nashville$35,810
- Knoxville$35,690
- Memphis$33,910
- Chattanooga$33,390
- Clarksville$32,680
- Jackson$31,290
- Kingsport$31,290
- Morristown$30,370
- Cleveland$30,230
- Johnson City$30,080
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 Chattanooga: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Chattanooga?
$16.05 an hour on average, and $14.58 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Chattanooga?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,350 a year and the 25th percentile is $28,070, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Chattanooga?
About $29,009 a year ($2,417 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $33,390. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Chattanooga than elsewhere?
The average here is 10% 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 Chattanooga, TN-GA (16860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.4%.
- 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 no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.22, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.