SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Alabama
Alabama · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $35,800 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $38,150.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $35,800 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $38,150. Half of workers earn between $29,010 and $37,970. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,970 and the ninetieth at $43,360.
The area has 1,240 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.6 of every thousand jobs. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Alabama ranks 41st by median wage. Birmingham leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,980. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 592nd of 690 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,970 | −26.7% |
| 25th | $29,010 | −24.0% |
| Median (50th) | $35,800 | −6.2% |
| 75th | $37,970 | −0.5% |
| 90th | $43,360 | +13.7% |
| Mean | $34,780 | −8.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $36,980 | 430 | |
| 2 | Auburn | $36,360 | 130 | |
| 3 | Huntsville | $35,870 | 150 | |
| 4 | Florence | $34,880 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $35,800 goes as far as $40,315 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,800as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,315US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,800 a year, 6.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,970 to $43,360 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,240 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 41st of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Birmingham, at $36,980.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Alabama?
The median annual wage is $35,800, or $17.21 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $38,150, so pay in Alabama is 6.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Alabama earns more than $43,360 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,970 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Birmingham, at $36,980 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,240 jobs in this occupation in Alabama. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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