Animal Caretakers pay in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the median pay for animal caretakers is $14.69 an hour ($30,550 a year). About 6,110 people work in this job there.
That is 14% lower than the U.S. median ($35,360). Tennessee ranks 35th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Tennessee
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $11.53 | $23,980 |
| 25% of workers | $13.52 | $28,110 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.69 | $30,550 |
| 75% of workers | $17.39 | $36,170 |
| 90% of workers | $22.60 | $47,020 |
Animal Caretakers pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $32,810 | 2,300 |
| Knoxville | $32,390 | 840 |
| Clarksville | $31,170 | 180 |
| Memphis | $31,070 | 850 |
| Jackson | $30,890 | 110 |
| Chattanooga | $30,320 | 560 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $29,290 | 150 |
| Cleveland | $28,770 | 120 |
| Johnson City | $28,430 | 180 |
| Morristown | $27,850 | 100 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for animal caretakers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +12.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 62,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $37,990 |
| Childcare Workers | $29,660 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,320 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $42,810 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.