Animal Caretakers Salary in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY
The median pay for a animal caretakers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY is $32,240/year ($15.5/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $43K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.69), which stretches that salary to about $36,766 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,405/month — about 63.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $32K get you in Watertown-Fort Drum?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Watertown-Fort Drum’s Regional Price Parity (87.69). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About animal caretakers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Watertown-Fort Drum, NY
Entry-level animal caretakers (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $32K. Top earners bring in $43K or more, a $12K spread from bottom to top.
Animal Caretakers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $38K | +15% | 6,320 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +13% | 430 |
| California | $37K | +11% | 26,200 |
| Massachusetts | $37K | +10% | 7,470 |
| New York | $37K | +9% | 11,970 |
| Connecticut | $36K | +9% | 3,250 |
| Maine | $36K | +8% | 1,390 |
| Maryland | $36K | +8% | 6,380 |
| Vermont | $36K | +6% | 570 |
| Alaska | $36K | +6% | 560 |
| Oregon | $35K | +5% | 3,750 |
| Arizona | $35K | +5% | 5,450 |
| Rhode Island | $35K | +4% | 1,030 |
| New Jersey | $35K | +3% | 6,010 |
| Illinois | $34K | +3% | 10,660 |
| Hawaii | $34K | +3% | 690 |
| Minnesota | $34K | +1% | 4,610 |
| Montana | $32K | -4% | 1,150 |
| New Hampshire | $32K | -4% | 1,790 |
| Utah | $32K | -6% | 2,370 |
| Virginia | $31K | -8% | 9,610 |
| New Mexico | $31K | -8% | 1,650 |
| Delaware | $30K | -9% | 1,140 |
| North Dakota | $30K | -9% | 730 |
| Florida | $30K | -9% | 17,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $30K | -10% | 10,330 |
| Nebraska | $30K | -10% | 2,170 |
| Idaho | $30K | -11% | 1,890 |
| South Carolina | $30K | -11% | 5,280 |
| Texas | $30K | -11% | 22,690 |
| Tennessee | $30K | -11% | 7,000 |
| Michigan | $30K | -11% | 6,480 |
| Ohio | $30K | -11% | 9,750 |
| Iowa | $30K | -12% | 3,460 |
| Nevada | $30K | -12% | 2,500 |
| Wisconsin | $29K | -12% | 5,600 |
| South Dakota | $29K | -12% | 1,030 |
| Missouri | $29K | -12% | 6,570 |
| Arkansas | $29K | -12% | 2,270 |
| Kentucky | $29K | -12% | 6,980 |
| North Carolina | $29K | -14% | 10,810 |
| Georgia | $29K | -14% | 9,620 |
| Indiana | $29K | -14% | 6,200 |
| Wyoming | $29K | -14% | 430 |
| Oklahoma | $28K | -15% | 3,780 |
| West Virginia | $28K | -15% | 1,220 |
| Kansas | $28K | -16% | 3,010 |
| Alabama | $28K | -17% | 4,170 |
| Louisiana | $28K | -17% | 3,060 |
| Mississippi | $24K | -29% | 1,750 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track animal caretakers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Watertown-Fort Drum numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do animal caretakers make in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?
The median is $32,240 a year, that works out to about $16 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,200, and experienced animal caretakers can clear $42,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $32K enough to live in Watertown-Fort Drum?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,231/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,405/month, which eats 63% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a animal caretakers salary go in Watertown-Fort Drum?
Watertown-Fort Drum has a Regional Price Parity of 87.69 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median animal caretakers salary is worth about $36,766 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do animal caretakers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.