Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker Salary
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers earn a median $38,150 a year nationally. Healthcare Support Occupations
What veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers do
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)
- Openings per year
- 23,200
Employment of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is projected to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 23,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,398
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,365
- Medicare (1.45%)$553
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$32,834
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,120 | $14.48 | $26,381 |
| 25th percentile | $35,660 | $17.14 | $30,833 |
| Median (50th) | $38,150 | $18.34 | $32,834 |
| 75th percentile | $45,710 | $21.98 | $38,908 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,150 | $23.63 | $41,672 |
Best cities for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $45,640 | $38,852 | $34,960 | 2,400 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $45,320 | $37,041 | $34,019 | 2,740 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $46,070 | $37,766 | $33,255 | 4,830 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $46,160 | $37,374 | $33,203 | 5,560 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $38,710 | $32,524 | $31,481 | 2,390 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $36,040 | $31,138 | $30,205 | 2,350 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $36,110 | $29,943 | $29,926 | 2,880 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $46,160
- Los Angeles, CA — $46,070
- Seattle, WA — $45,640
- Washington, DC — $45,320
- Phoenix, AZ — $38,710
- Atlanta, GA — $36,110
- Dallas, TX — $36,040
Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $49,770 | +3.6% | $40,921 | $35,510 – $50,130 | 380 |
| District of Columbia | $49,080 | +12.6% | $39,837 | $46,570 – $72,840 | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $46,670 | +2.6% | $37,566 | $35,460 – $63,130 | 2,130 |
| California | $46,260 | +1.7% | $37,909 | $37,800 – $57,940 | 16,080 |
| New Jersey | $46,160 | +7.6% | $38,267 | $36,720 – $57,670 | 3,270 |
| Maine | $45,510 | +3.2% | $36,857 | $37,380 – $59,790 | 690 |
| Minnesota | $45,280 | +3.7% | $36,959 | $36,410 – $49,060 | 1,450 |
| Maryland | $44,770 | +2.9% | $36,390 | $37,150 – $60,710 | 2,220 |
| New York | $44,750 | +3.7% | $36,317 | $36,450 – $53,460 | 5,790 |
| Oregon | $44,370 | +3.6% | $34,779 | $36,480 – $49,470 | 3,170 |
| Connecticut | $44,250 | +11.9% | $36,669 | $35,920 – $59,950 | 1,390 |
| Washington | $44,150 | +1.3% | $37,655 | $38,470 – $55,050 | 4,380 |
| Hawaii | $44,070 | +24.4% | $35,733 | $35,200 – $49,400 | 570 |
| Colorado | $38,900 | −1.5% | $32,433 | $35,710 – $47,450 | 2,910 |
| Delaware | $38,610 | +7.1% | $31,737 | $34,680 – $57,930 | — |
| Montana | $38,340 | +3.5% | $31,941 | $29,430 – $45,220 | 550 |
| Arizona | $38,250 | +0.0% | $32,166 | $35,530 – $47,460 | 3,340 |
| Michigan | $37,960 | +3.9% | $31,318 | $30,410 – $46,730 | 4,420 |
| Wyoming | $37,880 | +4.0% | $32,617 | $30,610 – $39,080 | 150 |
| Florida | $37,830 | +1.7% | $32,576 | $31,090 – $47,270 | 6,790 |
| Utah | $37,560 | +5.1% | $31,635 | $31,890 – $49,100 | 580 |
| Idaho | $37,530 | +4.8% | $31,455 | $24,230 – $44,730 | 680 |
| New Mexico | $37,500 | +5.3% | $31,666 | $29,870 – $48,310 | 520 |
| Illinois | $37,480 | +0.5% | $30,585 | $31,550 – $47,000 | 3,270 |
| Virginia | $37,450 | +2.6% | $30,932 | $30,430 – $48,580 | 4,810 |
| Vermont | $37,290 | +3.2% | $31,327 | $30,690 – $45,880 | 370 |
| North Dakota | $37,160 | +2.2% | $32,038 | $33,800 – $46,830 | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,140 | +1.8% | $30,882 | $30,010 – $47,200 | 3,760 |
| North Carolina | $37,070 | +1.1% | $30,995 | $28,830 – $46,470 | 6,910 |
| South Carolina | $36,980 | +3.6% | $30,832 | $27,390 – $48,630 | 1,720 |
| Nevada | $36,920 | +2.1% | $31,845 | $35,920 – $47,910 | 1,380 |
| New Hampshire | $36,910 | +4.8% | $31,837 | $29,160 – $45,690 | 770 |
| Wisconsin | $36,850 | +5.3% | $30,949 | $30,400 – $45,630 | 2,200 |
| Missouri | $36,660 | +4.6% | $30,851 | $30,280 – $45,940 | 2,010 |
| Alaska | $36,490 | −2.8% | $31,500 | $27,690 – $47,010 | 130 |
| Indiana | $36,420 | +3.3% | $30,399 | $29,580 – $44,780 | 2,810 |
| Ohio | $36,340 | +4.4% | $31,162 | $29,330 – $47,070 | 4,640 |
| Tennessee | $36,320 | −0.3% | $31,363 | $30,230 – $43,700 | 3,530 |
| Nebraska | $36,100 | +2.5% | $30,423 | $29,930 – $42,050 | 900 |
| Georgia | $35,850 | +2.5% | $29,748 | $29,210 – $44,810 | 4,570 |
| Alabama | $35,800 | +20.7% | $29,420 | $27,970 – $43,360 | 1,240 |
| Iowa | $35,720 | +14.5% | $30,175 | $29,440 – $47,220 | 1,380 |
| Kansas | $35,680 | +9.2% | $29,657 | $28,720 – $47,930 | 1,570 |
| Oklahoma | $34,850 | +17.2% | $29,159 | $23,170 – $46,810 | 1,740 |
| Texas | $34,850 | +14.5% | $30,182 | $24,070 – $46,890 | 8,440 |
| South Dakota | $34,700 | +5.8% | $30,061 | $28,390 – $36,700 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $34,570 | +13.2% | $28,821 | $27,860 – $42,180 | 1,460 |
| Kentucky | $34,140 | +4.8% | $28,534 | $26,520 – $45,430 | 1,840 |
| West Virginia | $32,350 | −0.9% | $27,329 | $25,830 – $38,040 | 730 |
| Louisiana | $30,480 | +4.1% | $26,143 | $28,400 – $37,510 | 1,230 |
| Mississippi | $30,360 | +2.1% | $26,092 | $26,060 – $45,440 | 560 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $40,410 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.4% |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.8% |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.4% |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.8% |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +15.3% |
| Orderly | $38,290 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $39,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make?
The national median salary for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $38,150 a year ($18.34 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,120 and the top 10% earn over $49,150. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median pay at $49,770. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are there in the U.S.?
About 126,580 people work as veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers nationwide.