The average salary for a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker in the United States is $37,310, but the range typically falls between $31,120 and $42,290. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $17.94, with a range between $14.96 and $20.33.
There are approximately 115,770 people employed as a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker in the United States. With California, Texas, Florida employing the highest number of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers.The state with the best pay for a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker is District of Columbia, with an average annual salary of $50,830, while Alabama has the lowest average annual salary of $28,930.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,550 | $13.73 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,120 | $14.96 |
| Median | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| 90th Percentile | $46,630 | $22.42 |
The salary of a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are District of Columbia, Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Washington while the worst states are Alabama, West Virginia, Mississippi, Wyoming, Oklahoma.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $21,910 | $28,930 | $37,180 |
| Alaska | $31,200 | $38,950 | $45,780 |
| Arizona | $31,120 | $38,050 | $47,380 |
| Arkansas | $26,710 | $35,350 | $38,600 |
| California | $35,890 | $42,650 | $50,140 |
| Colorado | $31,580 | $39,380 | $46,400 |
| Connecticut | $34,260 | $45,350 | $68,510 |
| Delaware | $30,110 | $41,200 | $57,230 |
| District of Columbia | $37,870 | $50,830 | $59,300 |
| Florida | $28,610 | $35,880 | $43,930 |
| Georgia | $24,960 | $34,270 | $43,750 |
| Hawaii | $28,490 | $39,760 | $53,330 |
| Idaho | $27,050 | $33,430 | $37,710 |
| Illinois | $29,160 | $36,960 | $50,950 |
| Indiana | $26,150 | $33,350 | $42,630 |
| Iowa | $27,340 | $33,870 | $45,590 |
| Kansas | $21,040 | $32,480 | $42,790 |
| Kentucky | $27,860 | $33,010 | $40,580 |
| Louisiana | $20,980 | $31,010 | $37,610 |
| Maine | $34,360 | $44,920 | $54,000 |
| Maryland | $33,640 | $41,860 | $51,510 |
| Massachusetts | $36,450 | $48,090 | $62,990 |
| Michigan | $29,560 | $36,130 | $44,880 |
| Minnesota | $34,990 | $40,680 | $55,080 |
| Mississippi | $22,910 | $29,800 | $36,490 |
| Missouri | $27,520 | $33,230 | $39,140 |
| Montana | $28,790 | $34,170 | $38,160 |
| Nebraska | $24,490 | $33,440 | $43,280 |
| Nevada | $29,540 | $34,770 | $41,780 |
| New Hampshire | $29,220 | $36,160 | $44,600 |
| New Jersey | $33,090 | $38,760 | $45,780 |
| New Mexico | $27,970 | $33,330 | $39,660 |
| New York | $34,410 | $41,890 | $51,470 |
| North Carolina | $25,090 | $35,500 | $44,780 |
| North Dakota | $27,340 | $34,140 | $44,000 |
| Ohio | $28,080 | $32,330 | $36,860 |
| Oklahoma | $22,480 | $33,060 | $47,010 |
| Oregon | $35,080 | $40,350 | $46,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,980 | $36,570 | $48,440 |
| Rhode Island | $31,710 | $43,080 | $47,100 |
| South Carolina | $28,380 | $35,420 | $44,160 |
| South Dakota | $27,320 | $33,030 | $37,800 |
| Tennessee | $28,120 | $34,490 | $41,600 |
| Texas | $21,820 | $33,280 | $45,730 |
| Utah | $27,750 | $33,870 | $43,450 |
| Vermont | $28,990 | $34,680 | $43,670 |
| Virginia | $28,700 | $35,370 | $45,660 |
| Washington | $36,770 | $42,290 | $46,030 |
| West Virginia | $22,070 | $28,560 | $34,900 |
| Wisconsin | $28,130 | $34,470 | $41,930 |
| Wyoming | $27,960 | $32,610 | $45,050 |
Even between cities, the salary of a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is New Haven, CT with an average salary of $58,550.The city with the lowest average salary for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area, AL with an average salary of $23,960.
Areas with highest average salaries for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
Areas with lowest average salaries for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
The number of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers has increased by 16,960. On average, the number of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers has been increasing by 4.3% each year. The salary of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers has increased by $6,330. On average, the salary of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers has been increasing by 5.1% each year.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are part of the healthcare support occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all healthcare support occupations jobs here.
$38,980 per year
$47,410 per year
$43,350 per year
$47,350 per year
$62,560 per year
$33,380 per year
