SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Texas
Texas · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Texas is $34,850 a year, trailing the national median of $38,150 by 8.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Texas is $34,850 a year, trailing the national median of $38,150 by 8.7%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $29,340 and $43,270. The lowest tenth earn under $24,070, while the highest tenth earn more than $46,890.
The area has 8,440 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.6 of every thousand jobs. Texas ranks number 45th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Dallas records the highest median at $36,040. Of the 794 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 715th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,070 | −36.9% |
| 25th | $29,340 | −23.1% |
| Median (50th) | $34,850 | −8.7% |
| 75th | $43,270 | +13.4% |
| 90th | $46,890 | +22.9% |
| Mean | $35,730 | −6.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas | $36,040 | 2,350 | |
| 2 | San Antonio | $36,010 | 950 | |
| 3 | Austin | $35,530 | 780 | |
| 4 | Houston | $35,370 | 2,140 | |
| 5 | Corpus Christi | $33,650 | 100 | |
| 6 | Beaumont | $33,000 | 80 | |
| 7 | Killeen | $30,490 | 90 | |
| 8 | Longview | $30,320 | 60 | |
| 9 | Amarillo | $30,210 | 100 | |
| 10 | College Station | $29,960 | 410 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $34,850 goes as far as $35,891 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,850as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,891US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,850 a year, 8.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,070 to $46,890 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 8,440 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 45th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Dallas, at $36,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Texas?
The median annual wage is $34,850, or $16.75 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 Texas 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 Texas earns more than $46,890 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,070 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 Dallas, at $36,040 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 8,440 jobs in this occupation in Texas. 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.
Explore related data