SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $37,560 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 $37,560 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $38,150. Half of workers earn between $31,380 and $41,890. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $30,110 and the ninetieth at $47,440.
The area has 320 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Ames leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $38,300. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 454th of 508 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,110 | −21.1% |
| 25th | $31,380 | −17.7% |
| Median (50th) | $37,560 | −1.5% |
| 75th | $41,890 | +9.8% |
| 90th | $47,440 | +24.4% |
| Mean | $38,470 | +0.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $38,300 | 90 | |
| 2 | Davenport | $36,470 | 150 | |
| 3 | Waterloo | $36,240 | 70 | |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids | $36,210 | 150 | |
| 5 | Iowa City | $35,310 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $37,560 goes as far as $42,779 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,560as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,779US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,560 a year, 1.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,110 to $47,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 320 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ames, at $38,300.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $37,560, or $18.06 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 Des Moines, IA is 1.5% 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 Des Moines, IA earns more than $47,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,110 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 Ames, at $38,300 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 320 jobs in this occupation in Des Moines, IA. 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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