SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Southwestern Pennsylvania
Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $35,140, median pay for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA tracks the national median of $38,150 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $35,140, median pay for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA tracks the national median of $38,150 closely. Pay ranges from under $28,700 at the tenth percentile to more than $38,980 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $29,780 to $36,800.
Employment stands at 80, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $39,840. Of the 364 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 316th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,700 | −24.8% |
| 25th | $29,780 | −21.9% |
| Median (50th) | $35,140 | −7.9% |
| 75th | $36,800 | −3.5% |
| 90th | $38,980 | +2.2% |
| Mean | $33,500 | −12.2% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $39,840 | 2,150 | |
| 2 | Allentown | $37,720 | 250 | |
| 3 | State College | $37,500 | 80 | |
| 4 | Harrisburg | $37,190 | 150 | |
| 5 | Lebanon | $37,110 | 30 | |
| 6 | Pittsburgh | $36,940 | 660 | |
| 7 | Reading | $36,780 | 120 | |
| 8 | York | $36,640 | 110 | |
| 9 | Gettysburg | $35,780 | 40 | |
| 10 | Chambersburg | $35,590 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwestern Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $35,140 goes as far as $36,004 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,140as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,004US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,140 a year, 7.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,700 to $38,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $39,840.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $35,140, or $16.90 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is 7.9% 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $38,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,700 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 Philadelphia, at $39,840 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA. 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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