Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

In Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (CA), the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $21.54 an hour ($44,810 a year). About 1,270 people work in this job there.

$21.54Median hourly pay
$37,920–$46,260Middle half of workers, yearly
1,270People in this job in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (CA)

That is 17% higher than the U.S. median ($38,150). It is 3% lower than the California median ($46,260).

Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.76$36,930
25% of workers$18.23$37,920
Half of workers (median)$21.54$44,810
75% of workers$22.24$46,260
90% of workers$26.04$54,160

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$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 (this page)$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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Medical Assistants$46,700
Nursing Assistants$46,430
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$76,970
Emergency Medical Technicians$43,500
Animal Caretakers$37,050
Phlebotomists$51,490
Dental Assistants$48,500
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$56,660

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.