Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA), the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $22.46 an hour ($46,720 a year). About 1,970 people work in this job there.
That is 22% 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.20 | $37,850 |
| 25% of workers | $19.02 | $39,570 |
| Half of workers (median) | $22.46 | $46,720 |
| 75% of workers | $22.75 | $47,320 |
| 90% of workers | $27.60 | $57,400 |
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $49,400 | 2,150 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $49,210 | 620 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $47,270 | 350 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $47,150 | 200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $46,990 | 1,740 |
| Salinas | $46,990 | 160 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (this page) | $46,720 | 1,970 |
| Vallejo | $46,590 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $46,070 | 4,830 |
| Napa | $45,710 | 50 |
| Modesto | $45,560 | 230 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $45,530 | 480 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $45,490 | 210 |
| Yuba City | $45,490 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $44,810 | 1,270 |
| Fresno | $44,040 | 230 |
| Redding | $43,930 | 80 |
| Chico | $43,830 | 120 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $43,270 | 170 |
| Merced | $40,040 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $39,850 | 180 |
| Visalia | $38,410 | 70 |
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $48,070 |
| Medical Assistants | $49,420 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,720 |
| Animal Caretakers | $37,870 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $43,620 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,280 |
| Phlebotomists | $58,170 |
| Dental Assistants | $58,120 |
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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.