SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Killeen
Killeen-Temple, TX · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Killeen, TX is $30,490 per year, 20.1% below the national median of $38,150.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Killeen, TX is $30,490 per year, 20.1% below the national median of $38,150. Half of workers earn between $28,830 and $37,340. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $23,360 and the ninetieth at $44,120.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.6 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Dallas records the highest median at $36,040. Of the 348 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 316th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,360 | −38.8% |
| 25th | $28,830 | −24.4% |
| Median (50th) | $30,490 | −20.1% |
| 75th | $37,340 | −2.1% |
| 90th | $44,120 | +15.6% |
| Mean | $32,190 | −15.6% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas | $36,040 | 2,350 | |
| 2 | San Antonio | $36,010 | 950 | |
| 3 | Austin | $35,530 | 780 | |
| 4 | Houston | $35,370 | 2,140 | |
| 5 | Corpus Christi | $33,650 | 100 | |
| 6 | Beaumont | $33,000 | 80 | |
| 7 | Longview | $30,320 | 60 | |
| 8 | Amarillo | $30,210 | 100 | |
| 9 | College Station | $29,960 | 410 | |
| 10 | Abilene | $29,710 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Killeen run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $30,490 goes as far as $31,401 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,401US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,490 a year, 20.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,360 to $44,120 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Dallas, at $36,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Killeen, TX?
The median annual wage is $30,490, or $14.66 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 Killeen, TX is 20.1% 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 Killeen, TX earns more than $44,120 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,360 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 Dallas, at $36,040 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 jobs in this occupation in Killeen, TX. 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.
Explore related data