Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater

In Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (FL), the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $18.27 an hour ($38,000 a year). About 1,110 people work in this job there.

$18.27Median hourly pay
$36,390–$45,160Middle half of workers, yearly
1,110People in this job in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (FL)

That is about the same as the U.S. median ($38,150). It is about the same as the Florida median ($37,830).

Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (FL)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$15.45$32,130
25% of workers$17.49$36,390
Half of workers (median)$18.27$38,000
75% of workers$21.71$45,160
90% of workers$22.67$47,140

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Florida metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Naples-Marco Island$45,470100
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin$42,590200
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach$38,3401,440
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota$38,030210
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (this page)$38,0001,110
Cape Coral-Fort Myers$37,870220
Jacksonville$37,710620
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville$37,490170
Punta Gorda$37,39060
Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor$37,26070
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford$37,220720
Port St. Lucie$37,170140
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach$36,680210
Gainesville$36,510130
Ocala$36,160130
Tallahassee$36,030190
Lakeland-Winter Haven$35,950160
Panama City-Panama City Beach$35,94080
Homosassa Springs$35,75050

Florida unemployment rate: 4.5% (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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (FL)

JobMedian yearly pay
Nursing Assistants$37,470
Medical Assistants$44,480
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$62,490
Animal Caretakers$34,490
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$47,100
Phlebotomists$39,220
Emergency Medical Technicians$43,540
Dental Assistants$46,890

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.