Animal Caretakers Salary in East Tennessee

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $27,850 -16.8% vs national
Median hourly $13.39
10th percentile $22,750
90th percentile $36,340
Employed locally 370
National median $33,470

Compare Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how East Tennessee stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Animal Caretakers
in
East Tennessee
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,750
    25th
    $26,470
    50th (median)
    $27,850
    75th
    $31,810
    90th
    $36,340

    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

    Related occupations in East Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $29,800
    Childcare Workers $27,920
    Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other $29,460
    Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers $31,510
    Tour and Travel Guides $32,290
    Recreation Workers $29,560

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in East Tennessee?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in East Tennessee is $13.39, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.67 or more per hour.

    Is East Tennessee above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in East Tennessee is 16.8% 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 East Tennessee?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $22,750 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,470.