Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Missouri

In Missouri, the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $17.62 an hour ($36,660 a year). About 2,010 people work in this job there.

$17.62Median hourly pay
$34,150–$41,650Middle half of workers, yearly
2,010People in this job in Missouri

That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($38,150). Missouri ranks 34th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Missouri

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$14.56$30,280
25% of workers$16.42$34,150
Half of workers (median)$17.62$36,660
75% of workers$20.03$41,650
90% of workers$22.09$45,940

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Missouri metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
St. Louis$37,790970
Kansas City$37,600960
Jefferson City$35,92050
Columbia$34,900130
Springfield$34,230150
Joplin$33,80040

Missouri unemployment rate: 3.5% (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 Missouri

JobMedian yearly pay
Nursing Assistants$37,680
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$61,530
Medical Assistants$40,440
Animal Caretakers$31,230
Paramedics$59,180
Emergency Medical Technicians$42,160
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$43,520
Phlebotomists$43,120

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.