SOC 319096

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists. Excludes "Animal Caretakers" (39-2021).

National Median

$37,320

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$37,320

Entry Level (10th pct)

$29,160

Experienced (90th pct)

$48,150

Total Employed

114,190

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$29,160 - $34,320
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$34,320 - $44,550
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$44,550 - $48,150

Highest Paying Locations for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area

$58,120

+55.7% vs national

New Haven, CT

$57,320

+53.6% vs national

Rhode Island

$48,050

+28.8% vs national

Providence-Warwick, RI-MA

$48,010

+28.6% vs national

Kahului-Wailuku, HI

$47,460

+27.2% vs national

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area	$58,120	330
New Haven, CT	$57,320	330
Rhode Island	$48,050	360
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$48,010	410
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$47,460	50
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$47,040	2,410
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$46,950	550
Barnstable Town, MA	$46,920	80
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$46,620	1,590
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$46,280	320
Salinas, CA	$45,740	140
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$45,560	170
Massachusetts	$45,480	1,470
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$45,480	2,540
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$45,470	120
California	$45,470	14,960
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$45,370	1,230
Vallejo, CA	$45,360	140
Napa, CA	$45,280	50
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$45,240	70
Bend, OR	$45,100	230
Connecticut nonmetropolitan area	$45,030	90
Worcester, MA	$44,860	200
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$44,830	1,640
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$44,790	4,290
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$44,750	430
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$44,600	130
Portland-South Portland, ME	$44,390	230
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$44,320	4,610
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$44,190	1,770
Maine	$44,080	790
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$43,940	960
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$43,910	1,460
Chico, CA	$43,680	90
Minnesota	$43,670	1,220
Bangor, ME	$43,660	50
Washington	$43,590	4,720
District of Columbia	$43,580	150
Maryland	$43,520	1,690
Boulder, CO	$43,470	270
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$43,430	2,490
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$43,350	170
New York	$43,150	5,680
New Jersey	$42,910	1,910
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	$42,890	70
Oregon	$42,830	2,670
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC	$41,960	110
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$41,860	190
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$41,160	110
Salem, OR	$40,500	200

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?

The national median annual salary for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers is $37,320, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss is Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area, with a median salary of $58,120.

How much can an experienced Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make?

Top-earning Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss (90th percentile) make $48,150 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.