SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Grand Rapids, MI is $38,970 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 Grand Rapids, MI is $38,970 per year, close to the national median of $38,150 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $34,870 at the tenth percentile to more than $46,610 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,230 to $45,320.
Employment stands at 590, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Detroit leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $38,830. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 485th of 572 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,870 | −8.6% |
| 25th | $37,230 | −2.4% |
| Median (50th) | $38,970 | +2.1% |
| 75th | $45,320 | +18.8% |
| 90th | $46,610 | +22.2% |
| Mean | $40,930 | +7.3% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | $38,830 | 1,470 | |
| 2 | Midland | $38,740 | 50 | |
| 3 | Ann Arbor | $38,350 | 250 | |
| 4 | Traverse City | $38,130 | 110 | |
| 5 | Lansing | $38,120 | 210 | |
| 6 | Flint | $37,370 | 140 | |
| 7 | Jackson | $36,800 | 50 | |
| 8 | Kalamazoo | $36,650 | 220 | |
| 9 | Saginaw | $36,170 | 70 | |
| 10 | Muskegon | $35,930 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Grand Rapids run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $38,970 goes as far as $40,509 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,509US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,970 a year, 2.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,870 to $46,610 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 590 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Detroit, at $38,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median annual wage is $38,970, or $18.74 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 Grand Rapids, MI is 2.1% 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 Grand Rapids, MI earns more than $46,610 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,870 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 Detroit, at $38,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 590 jobs in this occupation in Grand Rapids, MI. 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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