Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $21.79 an hour ($45,320 a year). About 2,740 people work in this job there.
That is 19% higher than the U.S. median ($38,150). It is 8% lower than the District of Columbia median ($49,080).
Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.66 | $36,740 |
| 25% of workers | $18.62 | $38,730 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.79 | $45,320 |
| 75% of workers | $23.60 | $49,080 |
| 90% of workers | $28.93 | $60,170 |
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page) | $45,320 | 2,740 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $45,730 |
| Medical Assistants | $46,640 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,860 |
| Animal Caretakers | $37,710 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $57,630 |
| Phlebotomists | $49,030 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $49,250 |
| Dental Assistants | $47,540 |
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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.