Animal Caretakers pay range in Bellingham
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,920 a year or less, while the top 10% make $59,970 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Bellingham earn between $36,860 and $46,850.
- $36K10th
- $37K25th
- $38KMedian
- $47K75th
- $60K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $43,390 | $3,616 | $20.86 |
| Median | $37,650 | $3,138 | $18.10 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,860 | $3,072 | $17.72 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $46,850 | $3,904 | $22.52 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Bellingham vs. Washington and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Bellingham earn 6% less than the Washington average ($46,160) and 16% more than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is +6% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $43,390 | $37,650 | $35,920 | $59,970 | 230 |
| Washington | $46,160 | $40,570 | $36,100 | $64,580 | 6,620 |
| 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 Bellingham
On the average salary of $43,390, a single filer in Bellingham takes home about $37,044 a year, or $3,087 a month and $1,425 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
Is Bellingham a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Bellingham area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.3), so the average $43,390 buys what about $41,990 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Bellingham ($57,820). A typical home costs $620,829, or 14.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Washington cities
Bellingham ranks 7th of 10 Washington metro areas for this job; Seattle pays the most ($47,810).
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 Bellingham: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Bellingham?
$20.86 an hour on average, and $18.10 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Bellingham?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,920 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,860, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Bellingham?
About $37,044 a year ($3,087 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $43,390. Washington has no state income tax; Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Bellingham than elsewhere?
The average here is 16% more 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 Bellingham, WA (13380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.0%.
- 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. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.48, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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