Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim

In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA), the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $22.15 an hour ($46,070 a year). About 4,830 people work in this job there.

$22.15Median hourly pay
$39,510–$47,390Middle half of workers, yearly
4,830People in this job in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

That is 21% higher than the U.S. median ($38,150). It is about the same as the California median ($46,260).

Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$18.26$37,990
25% of workers$18.99$39,510
Half of workers (median)$22.15$46,070
75% of workers$22.79$47,390
90% of workers$27.77$57,760

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$49,4002,150
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$49,210620
Santa Rosa-Petaluma$47,270350
Santa Cruz-Watsonville$47,150200
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$46,9901,740
Salinas$46,990160
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad$46,7201,970
Vallejo$46,590130
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (this page)$46,0704,830
Napa$45,71050
Modesto$45,560230
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$45,530480
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$45,490210
Yuba City$45,49050
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$44,8101,270
Fresno$44,040230
Redding$43,93080
Chico$43,830120
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles$43,270170
Merced$40,04050
Bakersfield-Delano$39,850180
Visalia$38,41070

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Nursing Assistants$47,380
Medical Assistants$47,760
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$79,310
Animal Caretakers$38,520
Emergency Medical Technicians$45,090
Phlebotomists$52,940
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$60,670
Paramedics$74,900

Other job titles for this job

Animal Care ProviderAnimal CaregiverAvian KeeperCertified Veterinary AssistantEmergency Veterinary AssistantInpatient Technician AssistantKennel Vet AssistantLaboratory Animal CaretakerLaboratory Animal TechnicianResearch Animal AttendantSmall Animal CaretakerVeterinarian Assistant

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Source: 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.