Animal Caretakers Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $28,730 -14.2% vs national
Median hourly $13.81
10th percentile $22,490
90th percentile $36,570
Employed locally 630
National median $33,470

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Animal Caretakers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,490
    25th
    $26,950
    50th (median)
    $28,730
    75th
    $33,160
    90th
    $36,570

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 42% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 58% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Animal Caretakers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area $49,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $43,670
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $42,590
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $39,460
    Napa, CA $38,770
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $38,420

    Nearby metros — Animal Caretakers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $31,080
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $30,140
    Knoxville, TN $30,000
    Clarksville, TN-KY $29,810
    Jackson, TN $29,570
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $28,440

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers $28,670
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $23,080
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $42,010
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $27,870
    Recreation Workers $31,830
    Residential Advisors $29,700

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $13.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.48 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 14.2% below the national median of $33,470. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Animal Caretakers in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $22,490 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,950.