SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Oklahoma
Oklahoma · 2 metro areas compared
In Oklahoma the median wage is $34,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Oklahoma the median wage is $34,850. That is 8.7% lower than the national median of $38,150. Pay ranges from under $23,170 at the tenth percentile to more than $46,810 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $29,810 to $36,380.
The area has 1,740 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.25 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Oklahoma ranks number 44th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Oklahoma City records the highest median at $35,630. Of the 710 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 634th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,170 | −39.3% |
| 25th | $29,810 | −21.9% |
| Median (50th) | $34,850 | −8.7% |
| 75th | $36,380 | −4.6% |
| 90th | $46,810 | +22.7% |
| Mean | $34,200 | −10.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Oklahoma
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City | $35,630 | 670 | |
| 2 | Tulsa | $35,410 | 470 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Oklahoma run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $34,850 goes as far as $39,692 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,850as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,692US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,850 a year, 8.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,170 to $46,810 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,740 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 44th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Oklahoma City, at $35,630.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Oklahoma?
The median annual wage is $34,850, or $16.76 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 Oklahoma is 8.7% 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 Oklahoma earns more than $46,810 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,170 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 Oklahoma City, at $35,630 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,740 jobs in this occupation in Oklahoma. 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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