Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $18.88 an hour ($39,280 a year). About 2,190 people work in this job there.
That is 3% higher than the U.S. median ($38,150). It is 5% higher than the Illinois median ($37,480).
Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.77 | $34,890 |
| 25% of workers | $16.95 | $35,250 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.88 | $39,280 |
| 75% of workers | $20.98 | $43,630 |
| 90% of workers | $22.67 | $47,140 |
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page) | $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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $46,940 |
| Medical Assistants | $47,270 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $78,070 |
| Animal Caretakers | $36,110 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $44,020 |
| Phlebotomists | $47,190 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,820 |
| Paramedics | $77,670 |
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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.