Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| Mean (average) | $40,340 | $19.39 |
| 90th percentile | $49,150 | $23.63 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 52 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,800 | $27,970 | $43,360 | 1,240 | 0.72 |
| Alaska | $36,490 | $27,690 | $47,010 | 130 | 0.49 |
| Arizona | $38,250 | $35,530 | $47,460 | 3,340 | 1.27 |
| Arkansas | $34,570 | $27,860 | $42,180 | 1,460 | 1.38 |
| California | $46,260 | $37,800 | $57,940 | 16,080 | 1.08 |
| Colorado | $38,900 | $35,710 | $47,450 | 2,910 | 1.25 |
| Connecticut | $44,250 | $35,920 | $59,950 | 1,390 | 1.01 |
| Delaware | $38,610 | $34,680 | $57,930 | ||
| District of Columbia | $49,080 | $46,570 | $72,840 | 240 | 0.41 |
| Florida | $37,830 | $31,090 | $47,270 | 6,790 | 0.84 |
| Georgia | $35,850 | $29,210 | $44,810 | 4,570 | 1.15 |
| Hawaii | $44,070 | $35,200 | $49,400 | 570 | 1.12 |
| Idaho | $37,530 | $24,230 | $44,730 | 680 | 0.97 |
| Illinois | $37,480 | $31,550 | $47,000 | 3,270 | 0.66 |
| Indiana | $36,420 | $29,580 | $44,780 | 2,810 | 1.08 |
| Iowa | $35,720 | $29,440 | $47,220 | 1,380 | 1.09 |
| Kansas | $35,680 | $28,720 | $47,930 | 1,570 | 1.34 |
| Kentucky | $34,140 | $26,520 | $45,430 | 1,840 | 1.13 |
| Louisiana | $30,480 | $28,400 | $37,510 | 1,230 | 0.78 |
| Maine | $45,510 | $37,380 | $59,790 | 690 | 1.32 |
| Maryland | $44,770 | $37,150 | $60,710 | 2,220 | 0.99 |
| Massachusetts | $46,670 | $35,460 | $63,130 | 2,130 | 0.72 |
| Michigan | $37,960 | $30,410 | $46,730 | 4,420 | 1.23 |
| Minnesota | $45,280 | $36,410 | $49,060 | 1,450 | 0.6 |
| Mississippi | $30,360 | $26,060 | $45,440 | 560 | 0.59 |
| Missouri | $36,660 | $30,280 | $45,940 | 2,010 | 0.84 |
| Montana | $38,340 | $29,430 | $45,220 | 550 | 1.32 |
| Nebraska | $36,100 | $29,930 | $42,050 | 900 | 1.08 |
| Nevada | $36,920 | $35,920 | $47,910 | 1,380 | 1.09 |
| New Hampshire | $36,910 | $29,160 | $45,690 | 770 | 1.39 |
| New Jersey | $46,160 | $36,720 | $57,670 | 3,270 | 0.94 |
| New Mexico | $37,500 | $29,870 | $48,310 | 520 | 0.73 |
| New York | $44,750 | $36,450 | $53,460 | 5,790 | 0.73 |
| North Carolina | $37,070 | $28,830 | $46,470 | 6,910 | 1.72 |
| North Dakota | $37,160 | $33,800 | $46,830 | 270 | 0.77 |
| Ohio | $36,340 | $29,330 | $47,070 | 4,640 | 1.03 |
| Oklahoma | $34,850 | $23,170 | $46,810 | 1,740 | 1.25 |
| Oregon | $44,370 | $36,480 | $49,470 | 3,170 | 1.98 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,140 | $30,010 | $47,200 | 3,760 | 0.76 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,310 | $21,840 | $38,310 | 430 | 0.56 |
| Rhode Island | $49,770 | $35,510 | $50,130 | 380 | 0.93 |
| South Carolina | $36,980 | $27,390 | $48,630 | 1,720 | 0.92 |
| South Dakota | $34,700 | $28,390 | $36,700 | 250 | 0.67 |
| Tennessee | $36,320 | $30,230 | $43,700 | 3,530 | 1.32 |
| Texas | $34,850 | $24,070 | $46,890 | 8,440 | 0.74 |
| Utah | $37,560 | $31,890 | $49,100 | 580 | 0.41 |
| Vermont | $37,290 | $30,690 | $45,880 | 370 | 1.51 |
| Virginia | $37,450 | $30,430 | $48,580 | 4,810 | 1.44 |
| Washington | $44,150 | $38,470 | $55,050 | 4,380 | 1.51 |
| West Virginia | $32,350 | $25,830 | $38,040 | 730 | 1.28 |
| Wisconsin | $36,850 | $30,400 | $45,630 | 2,200 | 0.92 |
| Wyoming | $37,880 | $30,610 | $39,080 | 150 | 0.67 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 23,200. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant CIP 01.8301
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other CIP 01.8399
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
- Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- Fill medication prescriptions.
- Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
- Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
- Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
- Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone
- Labeling software
- McAllister Software Systems AVImark
- Practice management software PMS
- Scheduling software
Transferable skills for career changers: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management, Instructing, Complex Problem Solving.
Common job titles: Animal Care Provider, Animal Caregiver, Avian Keeper, Certified Veterinary Assistant, Emergency Veterinary Assistant, Inpatient Technician Assistant, Kennel Vet Assistant (Kennel Veterinary Assistant), Research Animal Attendant, Small Animal Caretaker, Veterinarian Assistant (Vet Assistant).
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers make?
The national median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers was $38,150 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $30,120 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $49,150. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers to change +9.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 23,200 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Rhode Island ($49,770), District of Columbia ($49,080), Massachusetts ($46,670). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.