Animal Caretakers Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $30,000 -10.4% vs national
Median hourly $14.42
10th percentile $26,330
90th percentile $42,450
Employed locally 960
National median $33,470

Compare Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Knoxville, TN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Animal Caretakers
in
Knoxville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,330
    25th
    $28,680
    50th (median)
    $30,000
    75th
    $35,100
    90th
    $42,450

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 43% Median Animal Caretakers salary is 57% 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
    Clarksville, TN-KY $29,810
    Jackson, TN $29,570
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $28,730
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $28,440

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers $29,030
    Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers $18,240
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $29,290
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $36,130
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $23,630
    Residential Advisors $32,240

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Caretakers in Knoxville, TN is $14.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.46 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Animal Caretakers salary in Knoxville, TN is 10.4% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $26,330 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,680.