Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in the United States was $38,150 ($18.34 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| 25th | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Median | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| 75th | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| 90th | $49,150 | $23.63 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 31-9096
- Total U.S. employment: 126,580
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
How to interpret these figures
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,800 | $17.21 | -6.2% | 1,240 |
| Alaska | $36,490 | $17.54 | -4.4% | 130 |
| Arizona | $38,250 | $18.39 | +0.3% | 3,340 |
| Arkansas | $34,570 | $16.62 | -9.4% | 1,460 |
| California | $46,260 | $22.24 | +21.3% | 16,080 |
| Colorado | $38,900 | $18.70 | +2.0% | 2,910 |
| Connecticut | $44,250 | $21.28 | +16.0% | 1,390 |
| Delaware | $38,610 | $18.56 | +1.2% | 0 |
| District of Columbia | $49,080 | $23.60 | +28.7% | 240 |
| Florida | $37,830 | $18.19 | -0.8% | 6,790 |
| Georgia | $35,850 | $17.24 | -6.0% | 4,570 |
| Hawaii | $44,070 | $21.19 | +15.5% | 570 |
| Idaho | $37,530 | $18.04 | -1.6% | 680 |
| Illinois | $37,480 | $18.02 | -1.8% | 3,270 |
| Indiana | $36,420 | $17.51 | -4.5% | 2,810 |
| Iowa | $35,720 | $17.18 | -6.4% | 1,380 |
| Kansas | $35,680 | $17.16 | -6.5% | 1,570 |
| Kentucky | $34,140 | $16.41 | -10.5% | 1,840 |
| Louisiana | $30,480 | $14.65 | -20.1% | 1,230 |
| Maine | $45,510 | $21.88 | +19.3% | 690 |
| Maryland | $44,770 | $21.52 | +17.4% | 2,220 |
| Massachusetts | $46,670 | $22.44 | +22.3% | 2,130 |
| Michigan | $37,960 | $18.25 | -0.5% | 4,420 |
| Minnesota | $45,280 | $21.77 | +18.7% | 1,450 |
| Mississippi | $30,360 | $14.60 | -20.4% | 560 |
| Missouri | $36,660 | $17.62 | -3.9% | 2,010 |
| Montana | $38,340 | $18.43 | +0.5% | 550 |
| Nebraska | $36,100 | $17.36 | -5.4% | 900 |
| Nevada | $36,920 | $17.75 | -3.2% | 1,380 |
| New Hampshire | $36,910 | $17.74 | -3.3% | 770 |
| New Jersey | $46,160 | $22.19 | +21.0% | 3,270 |
| New Mexico | $37,500 | $18.03 | -1.7% | 520 |
| New York | $44,750 | $21.52 | +17.3% | 5,790 |
| North Carolina | $37,070 | $17.82 | -2.8% | 6,910 |
| North Dakota | $37,160 | $17.87 | -2.6% | 270 |
| Ohio | $36,340 | $17.47 | -4.7% | 4,640 |
| Oklahoma | $34,850 | $16.76 | -8.7% | 1,740 |
| Oregon | $44,370 | $21.33 | +16.3% | 3,170 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,140 | $17.86 | -2.6% | 3,760 |
| Rhode Island | $49,770 | $23.93 | +30.5% | 380 |
| South Carolina | $36,980 | $17.78 | -3.1% | 1,720 |
| South Dakota | $34,700 | $16.68 | -9.0% | 250 |
| Tennessee | $36,320 | $17.46 | -4.8% | 3,530 |
| Texas | $34,850 | $16.75 | -8.7% | 8,440 |
| Utah | $37,560 | $18.06 | -1.5% | 580 |
| Vermont | $37,290 | $17.93 | -2.3% | 370 |
| Virginia | $37,450 | $18.01 | -1.8% | 4,810 |
| Washington | $44,150 | $21.23 | +15.7% | 4,380 |
| West Virginia | $32,350 | $15.55 | -15.2% | 730 |
| Wisconsin | $36,850 | $17.71 | -3.4% | 2,200 |
| Wyoming | $37,880 | $18.21 | -0.7% | 150 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Correctional Officers and Jailers — $58,940/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers?
The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $38,150 ($18.34 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 126,580 veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $18.34. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.