SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Massachusetts
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
At $37,650, median pay for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Massachusetts, MA tracks the national median of $38,150 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $37,650, median pay for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Massachusetts, MA tracks the national median of $38,150 closely. Pay ranges from under $36,120 at the tenth percentile to more than $46,710 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,340 to $39,770.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.93 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Boston records the highest median at $45,790. Of the 206 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 195th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,120 | −5.3% |
| 25th | $37,340 | −2.1% |
| Median (50th) | $37,650 | −1.3% |
| 75th | $39,770 | +4.2% |
| 90th | $46,710 | +22.4% |
| Mean | $39,560 | +3.7% |
Other metro areas in Massachusetts
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $45,790 | 1,800 | |
| 2 | Worcester | $43,510 | 270 | |
| 3 | Barnstable Town | $39,170 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Massachusetts run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $37,650 buys what $35,586 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 6.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,586US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,650 a year, 1.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,120 to $46,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boston, at $45,790.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Massachusetts, MA?
The median annual wage is $37,650, or $18.10 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 Massachusetts, MA is 1.3% 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 Massachusetts, MA earns more than $46,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,120 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 Boston, at $45,790 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in Massachusetts, MA. 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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