SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Blacksburg
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Blacksburg, VA is $36,230 per year, close to the national median of $38,150 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Blacksburg, VA is $36,230 per year, close to the national median of $38,150 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $30,020 at the tenth percentile to more than $49,100 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $34,110 to $43,250.
Employment stands at 150, or 2.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Charlottesville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $37,480. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 219th of 257 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,020 | −21.3% |
| 25th | $34,110 | −10.6% |
| Median (50th) | $36,230 | −5.0% |
| 75th | $43,250 | +13.4% |
| 90th | $49,100 | +28.7% |
| Mean | $38,510 | +0.9% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | $37,480 | 270 | |
| 2 | Richmond | $37,470 | 820 | |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | $36,320 | 910 | |
| 4 | Winchester | $35,750 | 90 | |
| 5 | Harrisonburg | $35,440 | 60 | |
| 6 | Roanoke | $35,410 | 200 | |
| 7 | Lynchburg | $34,940 | 120 | |
| 8 | Staunton | $34,720 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Blacksburg sit close to the national average, so $36,230 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$36,230as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,836US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,230 a year, 5.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,020 to $49,100 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlottesville, at $37,480.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Blacksburg, VA?
The median annual wage is $36,230, or $17.42 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 Blacksburg, VA is 5.0% 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 Blacksburg, VA earns more than $49,100 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,020 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 Charlottesville, at $37,480 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 150 jobs in this occupation in Blacksburg, VA. 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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