Animal Caretakers pay range in Harrisonburg
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,630 a year or less, while the top 10% make $46,070 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Harrisonburg earn between $28,250 and $35,690.
- $28K10th
- $28K25th
- $32KMedian
- $36K75th
- $46K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $34,010 | $2,834 | $16.35 |
| Median | $31,980 | $2,665 | $15.38 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $28,250 | $2,354 | $13.58 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $35,690 | $2,974 | $17.16 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Harrisonburg vs. Virginia and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Harrisonburg earn 6% less than the Virginia average ($36,070) and 9% less than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -10% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg | $34,010 | $31,980 | $27,630 | $46,070 | 140 |
| Virginia | $36,070 | $34,380 | $28,050 | $46,180 | 10,070 |
| 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 Harrisonburg
On the average salary of $34,010, a single filer in Harrisonburg takes home about $28,366 a year, or $2,364 a month and $1,091 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 (2025 rules).
Is Harrisonburg a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Harrisonburg area are 5% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 94.9), so the average $34,010 buys what about $35,841 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Harrisonburg ($46,110). A typical home costs $352,185, or 10.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Virginia cities
Harrisonburg ranks 3rd of 9 Virginia metro areas for this job; Charlottesville pays the most ($36,170).
- Charlottesville$36,170
- Richmond$35,130
- Harrisonburg$34,010
- Virginia Beach$33,900
- Roanoke$33,630
- Staunton$33,320
- Winchester$33,000
- Lynchburg$32,860
- Blacksburg$32,520
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 Harrisonburg: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Harrisonburg?
$16.35 an hour on average, and $15.38 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Harrisonburg?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,630 a year and the 25th percentile is $28,250, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Harrisonburg?
About $28,366 a year ($2,364 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $34,010.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Harrisonburg than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% 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 Harrisonburg, VA (25500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.5%.
- 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 (2025 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.25, this job is 1.2 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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