Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $18.02 an hour ($37,480 a year). About 3,270 people work in this job there.
That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($38,150). Illinois ranks 24th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.17 | $31,550 |
| 25% of workers | $16.88 | $35,110 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.02 | $37,480 |
| 75% of workers | $20.88 | $43,420 |
| 90% of workers | $22.60 | $47,000 |
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $39,280 | 2,190 |
| Springfield | $38,050 | 70 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $37,920 | 160 |
| Rockford | $37,670 | 50 |
| Bloomington | $36,540 | 90 |
| Peoria | $35,220 | 80 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (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 Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $45,960 |
| Medical Assistants | $46,090 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,000 |
| Animal Caretakers | $35,570 |
| Phlebotomists | $46,010 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $42,260 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $46,440 |
| Paramedics | $60,660 |
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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.