SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Louisville/Jefferson County
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY is $35,950 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY is $35,950 per year, close to the national median of $38,150 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $29,400 at the tenth percentile to more than $45,520 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $30,850 to $37,810.
Employment stands at 550, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Lexington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,400. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 504th of 560 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,400 | −22.9% |
| 25th | $30,850 | −19.1% |
| Median (50th) | $35,950 | −5.8% |
| 75th | $37,810 | −0.9% |
| 90th | $45,520 | +19.3% |
| Mean | $35,660 | −6.5% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $36,400 | 400 | |
| 2 | Bowling Green | $31,050 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Louisville/Jefferson County run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $35,950 goes as far as $39,856 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,950as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,856US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,950 a year, 5.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,400 to $45,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 550 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lexington, at $36,400.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY?
The median annual wage is $35,950, or $17.28 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY is 5.8% 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns more than $45,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,400 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 Lexington, at $36,400 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 550 jobs in this occupation in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. 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