Animal Caretaker salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Animal Caretakers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $30,320 a year ($14.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,670 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $30,550. There are 2.1 animal caretakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,350 | $11.22 |
| 25th percentile | $28,070 | $13.50 |
| Median | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| 75th percentile | $35,590 | $17.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Average (mean) | $33,390 | $16.05 |
Half of animal caretakers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,526.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,263.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,166.15 |
| Weekly | $583.08 |
| Hourly | $14.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Animal Caretaker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $33,610 | 520 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $32,810 | 2,300 |
| Knoxville, TN | $32,390 | 840 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $31,170 | 180 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $31,070 | 850 |
| Jackson, TN | $30,890 | 110 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $30,090 | 6,010 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $29,910 | 440 |
| Gainesville, GA | $29,680 | 120 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $29,310 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $29,290 | 150 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $28,980 | 90 |
| Cleveland, TN | $28,770 | 120 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $28,740 | 130 |
| Savannah, GA | $28,700 | 370 |
| Johnson City, TN | $28,430 | 180 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,850 | 100 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $27,390 | 200 |
| Rome, GA | $26,520 | 40 |
| Dalton, GA | $26,330 | 70 |
| Albany, GA | $23,860 | 100 |
| Valdosta, GA | $23,000 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for animal caretakers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $44,210 |
| Washington | $40,570 |
| Hawaii | $40,130 |
| Massachusetts | $39,650 |
| California | $38,700 |
| Arizona | $38,180 |
| New York | $37,840 |
| Colorado | $37,430 |
| Connecticut | $37,310 |
| Maine | $37,230 |
See Animal Caretaker pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $28,860 | $13.88 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,450 | $12.72 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,380 | $14.61 |
| Recreation Worker | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| Residential Advisor | $32,750 | $15.74 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Skincare Specialist | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,030 | $12.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other | $27,480 | $13.21 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Concierge | $35,350 | $17.00 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal caretaker make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for animal caretakers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $30,320 a year, or $14.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal caretakers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of animal caretakers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $44,670 a year. The top 25% earn $35,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal caretakers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,350 a year, and a quarter of animal caretakers earn $28,070 or less.
How many animal caretakers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 560 animal caretakers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.