SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · United States
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers across the United States is $38,150 per year, measured over 126,580 jobs. The highest state median is in Rhode Island, at $49,770.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Pay for this occupation varies by 63.9% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Rhode Island pays $49,770 and Mississippi pays $30,360.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $49,770 | 380 | |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $49,080 | 240 | |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $46,670 | 2,130 | |
| 4 | California | $46,260 | 16,080 | |
| 5 | New Jersey | $46,160 | 3,270 | |
| 6 | Maine | $45,510 | 690 | |
| 7 | Minnesota | $45,280 | 1,450 | |
| 8 | Maryland | $44,770 | 2,220 | |
| 9 | New York | $44,750 | 5,790 | |
| 10 | Oregon | $44,370 | 3,170 |
States with the most Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 16,080 | $46,260 | |
| 2 | Texas | 8,440 | $34,850 | |
| 3 | North Carolina | 6,910 | $37,070 | |
| 4 | Florida | 6,790 | $37,830 | |
| 5 | New York | 5,790 | $44,750 | |
| 6 | Virginia | 4,810 | $37,450 | |
| 7 | Ohio | 4,640 | $36,340 | |
| 8 | Georgia | 4,570 | $35,850 | |
| 9 | Michigan | 4,420 | $37,960 | |
| 10 | Washington | 4,380 | $44,150 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $49,400 | 2,150 |
| 2 | San Jose | $49,210 | 620 |
| 3 | Kahului | $49,200 | 60 |
| 4 | Santa Rosa | $47,270 | 350 |
| 5 | Santa Cruz | $47,150 | 200 |
| 6 | Sacramento | $46,990 | 1,740 |
| 7 | Salinas | $46,990 | 160 |
| 8 | San Diego | $46,720 | 1,970 |
| 9 | Vallejo | $46,590 | 130 |
| 10 | New York | $46,160 | 5,560 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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