Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $18.34 an hour ($38,150 a year). About 126,580 people work in this job there.
Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.48 | $30,120 |
| 25% of workers | $17.15 | $35,660 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.34 | $38,150 |
| 75% of workers | $21.98 | $45,710 |
| 90% of workers | $23.63 | $49,150 |
Best-paying states for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $49,770 | 380 |
| District of Columbia | $49,080 | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $46,670 | 2,130 |
| California | $46,260 | 16,080 |
| New Jersey | $46,160 | 3,270 |
| Maine | $45,510 | 690 |
| Minnesota | $45,280 | 1,450 |
| Maryland | $44,770 | 2,220 |
| New York | $44,750 | 5,790 |
| Oregon | $44,370 | 3,170 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $35,800
- Arizona · $38,250
- Arkansas · $34,570
- California · $46,260
- Colorado · $38,900
- Connecticut · $44,250
- Florida · $37,830
- Georgia · $35,850
- Hawaii · $44,070
- Idaho · $37,530
- Illinois · $37,480
- Indiana · $36,420
- Iowa · $35,720
- Kansas · $35,680
- Kentucky · $34,140
- Louisiana · $30,480
- Maine · $45,510
- Maryland · $44,770
- Massachusetts · $46,670
- Michigan · $37,960
- Minnesota · $45,280
- Mississippi · $30,360
- Missouri · $36,660
- Montana · $38,340
- Nebraska · $36,100
- Nevada · $36,920
- New Hampshire · $36,910
- New Jersey · $46,160
- New Mexico · $37,500
- New York · $44,750
- North Carolina · $37,070
- Ohio · $36,340
- Oklahoma · $34,850
- Oregon · $44,370
- Pennsylvania · $37,140
- South Carolina · $36,980
- Tennessee · $36,320
- Texas · $34,850
- Utah · $37,560
- Virginia · $37,450
- Washington · $44,150
- West Virginia · $32,350
- Wisconsin · $36,850
Education, experience and outlook for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +9.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 23,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $42,260 |
| Medical Assistants | $45,690 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,400 |
| Animal Caretakers | $35,360 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $44,470 |
| Phlebotomists | $45,230 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,380 |
| Paramedics | $60,600 |
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.