Animal Caretakers pay range in Winchester
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $26,350 a year or less, while the top 10% make $43,650 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Winchester earn between $28,190 and $35,190.
- $26K10th
- $28K25th
- $30KMedian
- $35K75th
- $44K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $33,000 | $2,750 | $15.87 |
| Median | $30,470 | $2,539 | $14.65 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $28,190 | $2,349 | $13.55 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $35,190 | $2,932 | $16.92 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Winchester vs. Virginia and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Winchester earn 9% less than the Virginia average ($36,070) and 12% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | $33,000 | $30,470 | $26,350 | $43,650 | 100 |
| 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 Winchester
On the average salary of $33,000, a single filer in Winchester takes home about $27,612 a year, or $2,301 a month and $1,062 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.
The Winchester, VA-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $27,873 | $2,323 |
| Working in VA | $27,612 | $2,301 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Winchester a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Winchester area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.5), so the average $33,000 buys what about $34,215 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Winchester ($47,070). A typical home costs $390,773, or 11.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Virginia cities
Winchester ranks 7th 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 Winchester: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Winchester?
$15.86 an hour on average, and $14.65 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Winchester?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $26,350 a year and the 25th percentile is $28,190, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Winchester?
About $27,612 a year ($2,301 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $33,000.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Winchester than elsewhere?
The average here is 12% 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 Winchester, VA-WV (49020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.4%.
- 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 state income tax (2025 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.89, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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