Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Make?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers earn a median annual salary of $37,320 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $29,160 at the 10th percentile to $48,150 at the 90th percentile — a range of $18,990. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $48,050.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,160 |
| 25th percentile | $34,320 |
| Median (50th) | $37,320 |
| 75th percentile | $44,550 |
| 90th percentile | $48,150 |
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Islandtop | $48,050 |
| Massachusetts | $45,480 |
| California | $45,470 |
| Maine | $44,080 |
| Minnesota | $43,670 |
| Washington | $43,590 |
| District of Columbia | $43,580 |
| Maryland | $43,520 |
| New York | $43,150 |
| New Jersey | $42,910 |
| Oregon | $42,830 |
| Connecticut | $39,540 |
| Colorado | $39,480 |
| Arizona | $38,240 |
| Alaska | $37,530 |
| Illinois | $37,310 |
| Florida | $37,200 |
| Montana | $37,060 |
| North Carolina | $36,680 |
| Michigan | $36,550 |
| Virginia | $36,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,480 |
| Tennessee | $36,440 |
| Wyoming | $36,430 |
| North Dakota | $36,370 |
| Nevada | $36,160 |
| Vermont | $36,120 |
| Delaware | $36,060 |
| Idaho | $35,820 |
| Utah | $35,730 |
| South Carolina | $35,680 |
| New Mexico | $35,600 |
| Hawaii | $35,420 |
| Indiana | $35,270 |
| New Hampshire | $35,230 |
| Nebraska | $35,210 |
| Missouri | $35,040 |
| Wisconsin | $34,990 |
| Georgia | $34,980 |
| Ohio | $34,820 |
| South Dakota | $32,810 |
| Kansas | $32,670 |
| West Virginia | $32,630 |
| Kentucky | $32,590 |
| Iowa | $31,200 |
| Arkansas | $30,550 |
| Texas | $30,430 |
| Mississippi | $29,730 |
| Oklahoma | $29,730 |
| Alabama | $29,660 |
| Louisiana | $29,280 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$29,160 – $34,320 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$37,320 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$44,550 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $48,150+ |
How to Earn More as a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area earn $58,120 — $20,800 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($44,550) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerthis career | $37,320 |
| Pharmacist | $137,480 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,260 |
| Veterinarian | $125,510 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 31-9096.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.