SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — District of Columbia
District of Columbia · 1 metro areas compared
At $49,080 a year, the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in District of Columbia sits 28.7% above the national figure of $38,150.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $49,080 a year, the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in District of Columbia sits 28.7% above the national figure of $38,150. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $46,960 and $60,700. The lowest tenth earn under $46,570, while the highest tenth earn more than $72,840.
The area has 240 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.41 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. District of Columbia ranks number 2nd out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Washington records the highest median at $45,320. Of the 465 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 391st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,570 | +22.1% |
| 25th | $46,960 | +23.1% |
| Median (50th) | $49,080 | +28.7% |
| 75th | $60,700 | +59.1% |
| 90th | $72,840 | +90.9% |
| Mean | $55,760 | +46.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in District of Columbia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $45,320 | 2,740 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in District of Columbia run 9.9% above the national average, so the median of $49,080 buys what $44,659 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 17.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$49,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
109.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$44,659US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,080 a year, 28.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,570 to $72,840 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 240 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 2nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Washington, at $45,320.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage is $49,080, or $23.60 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 District of Columbia is 28.7% higher. 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 District of Columbia earns more than $72,840 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,570 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 Washington, at $45,320 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 240 jobs in this occupation in District of Columbia. 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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