SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Morgantown
Morgantown, WV · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Morgantown, WV is $35,310 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 Morgantown, WV is $35,310 per year, close to the national median of $38,150 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $27,040 at the tenth percentile to more than $36,290 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $29,260 to $35,470.
Employment stands at 100, or 1.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Beckley leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $34,270. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 202nd of 244 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,040 | −29.1% |
| 25th | $29,260 | −23.3% |
| Median (50th) | $35,310 | −7.4% |
| 75th | $35,470 | −7.0% |
| 90th | $36,290 | −4.9% |
| Mean | $33,470 | −12.3% |
Other metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beckley | $34,270 | 40 | |
| 2 | Wheeling | $33,690 | 50 | |
| 3 | Huntington | $32,610 | 150 | |
| 4 | Charleston | $32,070 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Morgantown run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $35,310 goes as far as $39,453 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,310as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,453US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,310 a year, 7.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,040 to $36,290 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Beckley, at $34,270.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Morgantown, WV?
The median annual wage is $35,310, or $16.98 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 Morgantown, WV is 7.4% 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 Morgantown, WV earns more than $36,290 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,040 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 Beckley, at $34,270 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 100 jobs in this occupation in Morgantown, WV. 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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