SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Columbia
Columbia, MO · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Columbia, MO is $34,900 a year, trailing the national median of $38,150 by 8.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Columbia, MO is $34,900 a year, trailing the national median of $38,150 by 8.5%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $31,840 and $36,220. The lowest tenth earn under $29,210, while the highest tenth earn more than $43,320.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.43 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, St. Louis records the highest median at $37,790. Of the 336 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 302nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,210 | −23.4% |
| 25th | $31,840 | −16.5% |
| Median (50th) | $34,900 | −8.5% |
| 75th | $36,220 | −5.1% |
| 90th | $43,320 | +13.6% |
| Mean | $34,860 | −8.6% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $37,790 | 970 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $37,600 | 960 | |
| 3 | Jefferson City | $35,920 | 50 | |
| 4 | Springfield | $34,230 | 150 | |
| 5 | Joplin | $33,800 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $34,900 goes as far as $38,436 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,436US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,900 a year, 8.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,210 to $43,320 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is St. Louis, at $37,790.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Columbia, MO?
The median annual wage is $34,900, or $16.78 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 Columbia, MO is 8.5% 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 Columbia, MO earns more than $43,320 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,210 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 St. Louis, at $37,790 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Columbia, MO. 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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