Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker Salary in Washington, DC
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $45,320 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,041 take-home, or $3,087 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,258
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,810
- Medicare (1.45%)$657
- District of Columbia income tax$1,553
- Take-home pay$37,041
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,740 | $17.66 | $30,662 | $2,555 |
| 25th percentile | $38,730 | $18.62 | $32,142 | $2,678 |
| Median (50th) | $45,320 | $21.79 | $37,041 | $3,087 |
| 75th percentile | $49,080 | $23.60 | $39,837 | $3,320 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,170 | $28.93 | $48,062 | $4,005 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,320 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker's $37,041 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,019 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.07).
Best-paying cities for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #2 of 7 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $45,640 | $38,852 | $34,960 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $45,320 | $37,041 | $34,019 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $46,070 | $37,766 | $33,255 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $46,160 | $37,374 | $33,203 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $38,710 | $32,524 | $31,481 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $36,040 | $31,138 | $30,205 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $36,110 | $29,943 | $29,926 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 7 metros →
About the job: 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.1% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make in Washington, DC?
The median veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $45,320 a year, or about $21.79 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,730 and $49,080.
What is a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $45,320 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $37,041 a year ($3,087 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,553 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $38,150. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,019 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #2 of 7 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 64% of a median veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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