Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in the U.S. is $38,150 ($18.34 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $38,150
- Mean annual wage
- $40,340
- Median hourly wage
- $18.34
- Employment
- 126,580
126,580 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| 25th percentile | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Median (50th) | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| 75th percentile | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| 90th percentile | $49,150 | $23.63 |
Highest-paying states for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $49,770 | 380 |
| District of Columbia | $49,080 | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $46,670 | 2,130 |
| California | $46,260 | 16,080 |
| New Jersey | $46,160 | 3,270 |
| Maine | $45,510 | 690 |
| Minnesota | $45,280 | 1,450 |
| Maryland | $44,770 | 2,220 |
| New York | $44,750 | 5,790 |
| Oregon | $44,370 | 3,170 |
Lowest-paying states
- Mississippi: $30,360 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $30,480 median annual wage
- West Virginia: $32,350 median annual wage
- Kentucky: $34,140 median annual wage
- Arkansas: $34,570 median annual wage
About this occupation
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 tasks
- Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.
- Prepare surgical equipment and pass instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.
- Perform enemas, catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
- Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
- Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 3.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 18.6% |
| Some college, no degree | 25.9% |
| Associate's degree | 14.5% |
| Bachelor's degree | 33.8% |
| Master's degree | 2.5% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 1.1% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.