Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin

In Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN), the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $18.17 an hour ($37,790 a year). About 1,070 people work in this job there.

$18.17Median hourly pay
$36,490–$39,190Middle half of workers, yearly
1,070People in this job in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)

That is about the same as the U.S. median ($38,150). It is 4% higher than the Tennessee median ($36,320).

Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$16.63$34,590
25% of workers$17.54$36,490
Half of workers (median)$18.17$37,790
75% of workers$18.84$39,190
90% of workers$21.38$44,470

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Tennessee metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (this page)$37,7901,070
Memphis$36,990680
Chattanooga$36,170340
Jackson$35,84050
Knoxville$35,660530
Morristown$35,21050
Clarksville$34,810110
Johnson City$34,52090
Kingsport-Bristol$33,590140

Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)

JobMedian yearly pay
Nursing Assistants$39,510
Medical Assistants$44,620
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$61,940
Animal Caretakers$32,810
Paramedics$63,450
Phlebotomists$44,240
Dental Assistants$48,540

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.