SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Olympia
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Olympia, WA is $39,760 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 Olympia, WA is $39,760 per year, close to the national median of $38,150 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $38,880 and $44,270. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,070 and the ninetieth at $46,830.
Employment stands at 190, or 1.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Seattle records the highest median at $45,640. Of the 345 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 320th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,070 | −0.2% |
| 25th | $38,880 | +1.9% |
| Median (50th) | $39,760 | +4.2% |
| 75th | $44,270 | +16.0% |
| 90th | $46,830 | +22.8% |
| Mean | $42,050 | +10.2% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $45,640 | 2,400 | |
| 2 | Mount Vernon | $45,260 | 80 | |
| 3 | Wenatchee | $44,530 | 50 | |
| 4 | Bellingham | $44,160 | 120 | |
| 5 | Bremerton | $44,020 | 160 | |
| 6 | Kennewick | $40,100 | 130 | |
| 7 | Spokane | $39,240 | 340 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Olympia run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $39,760 buys what $37,159 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 2.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,760as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$37,159US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,760 a year, 4.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,070 to $46,830 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 190 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Seattle, at $45,640.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Olympia, WA?
The median annual wage is $39,760, or $19.12 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 Olympia, WA is 4.2% higher. 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 Olympia, WA earns more than $46,830 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,070 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 Seattle, at $45,640 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 190 jobs in this occupation in Olympia, WA. 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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