Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker Salary in Seattle, WA
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $45,640 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,852 take-home, or $3,238 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,297
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,830
- Medicare (1.45%)$662
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$38,852
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,600 | $20.48 | $36,409 | $3,034 |
| 25th percentile | $43,700 | $21.01 | $37,293 | $3,108 |
| Median (50th) | $45,640 | $21.94 | $38,852 | $3,238 |
| 75th percentile | $48,080 | $23.12 | $40,812 | $3,401 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,060 | $27.91 | $48,831 | $4,069 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,640 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% 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 $38,852 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,960 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 1.4× the national concentration of veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #1 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 Seattle, WA?
The median veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $45,640 a year, or about $21.94 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $43,700 and $48,080.
What is a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $45,640 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $38,852 a year ($3,238 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $38,150. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,960 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 7 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 62% 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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