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Veterinary assistant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$38,150median pay per year, or $18.34 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $30,120lowest 10% earn less
  2. $35,66025th percentile
  3. $38,150median
  4. $45,71075th percentile
  5. $49,150top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers was $38,150 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects 9.1% job growth from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+9.1%[2]
Openings per year
23,200[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do veterinary assistants make?

The official BLS category is Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. In May 2025, the median wage was $38,150 a year, or $18.34 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was higher, at $40,340 a year or $19.39 an hour[7].

The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980 a year[4].

Here is how pay spread out in this occupation[3][8]:

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th[3][8] $30,120 $14.48
25th[3][8] $35,660 $17.15
Median[1] $38,150 $18.34
75th[3][8] $45,710 $21.98
90th[3][8] $49,150 $23.63

The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $30,120[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers, both part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not count bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 126,580 people held these wage and salary jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Rhode Island had the highest median among states, at $49,770 a year, followed by the District of Columbia at $49,080 and Massachusetts at $46,670[12]. California came next at $46,260[12]. Mississippi had the lowest published median, at $30,360[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA was first at $49,400, then San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $49,210 and Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA at $47,270[13].

The most jobs were in California (16,080), Texas (8,440) and North Carolina (6,910)[14]. The metro areas with the most jobs were New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (5,560), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (4,830) and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA (2,880)[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Rhode Island[12]$49,770380
District of Columbia$49,080240
Massachusetts$46,6702,130
California$46,26016,080
New Jersey$46,1603,270
Maine$45,510690
Minnesota$45,2801,450
Maryland$44,7702,220
New York$44,7505,790
Oregon$44,3703,170
Connecticut$44,2501,390
Washington$44,1504,380
Hawaii$44,070570
Colorado$38,9002,910
Delaware$38,610n/a
Montana$38,340550
Arizona$38,2503,340
Michigan$37,9604,420
Wyoming$37,880150
Florida$37,8306,790
Utah$37,560580
Idaho$37,530680
New Mexico$37,500520
Illinois$37,4803,270
Virginia$37,4504,810
Vermont$37,290370
North Dakota$37,160270
Pennsylvania$37,1403,760
North Carolina$37,0706,910
South Carolina$36,9801,720
Nevada$36,9201,380
New Hampshire$36,910770
Wisconsin$36,8502,200
Missouri$36,6602,010
Alaska$36,490130
Indiana$36,4202,810
Ohio$36,3404,640
Tennessee$36,3203,530
Nebraska$36,100900
Georgia$35,8504,570
Alabama$35,8001,240
Iowa$35,7201,380
Kansas$35,6801,570
Oklahoma$34,8501,740
Texas$34,8508,440
South Dakota$34,700250
Arkansas$34,5701,460
Kentucky$34,1401,840
West Virginia$32,350730
Louisiana$30,4801,230
Mississippi$30,360560

How to become a veterinary assistant

The path is short, according to BLS[6]:

Certification is not required. It lets workers show their skill in animal care, health and welfare, and facility administration[19]. In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 78% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 11% said a post-secondary certificate and 6% said less than high school[20]. BLS lists short-term on-the-job training for this job[6].

BLS lists several useful qualities[21][22][23][24][25]:

What veterinary assistants do

These workers care for pets and other animals in animal hospitals, clinics and laboratories[26]. Job titles include certified veterinary assistant and research animal attendant[27]. O*NET lists these tasks, most important first[28]:

Where they work

Most of these workers are in animal clinics and hospitals, at colleges and universities, or in research labs[29]. Veterinary services was the largest employer in 2025, at 86%[30].

The work can be hard on the body and the emotions. Workers may care for sick or abused animals, and some help with euthanasia[31]. BLS says this occupation has one of the highest rates of injury and illness among all occupations, including bites, scratches and kicks[32]. Some workers are part time, and some work nights, weekends or holidays[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 132,100 to 144,200 jobs, a gain of 12,000[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[34]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 23,200 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 5.2% of workers leave the labor force and 10.7% move to a different occupation[35].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with a low barrier to entry. It asks for a high school diploma or equivalent and short training[6]. Pay is below the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][4]. Projected growth is above the all-occupations rate[2][34]. The work is physical, and BLS notes high injury rates[25][32]. It may suit people who are comfortable around animals and can handle the emotional side of the job[31].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a veterinary assistant make an hour?
The median wage was $18.34 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $14.48 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $23.63[8].
What education do you need to be a veterinary assistant?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent, no related experience and short-term on-the-job training[6]. Certification is not mandatory[19].
Is veterinary assistant in demand?
BLS projects 9.1% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][34]. About 23,200 openings a year are expected[5].
What is the highest paying state for veterinary assistants?
Rhode Island, with a median of $49,770 a year in May 2025[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in the US was $38,150 per year and $18.34 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers is projected to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 132,100 to 144,200 jobs (a change of +12,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers: 10th percentile $30,120, 25th percentile $35,660, 75th percentile $45,710, 90th percentile $49,150. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 23,200 openings for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers was $40,340 per year and $19.39 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers: 10th percentile $14.48, 25th percentile $17.15, 75th percentile $21.98, 90th percentile $23.63. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 126,580 people were employed as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $49,400; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $49,210; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $47,270; Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $47,150; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $46,990; Salinas, CA $46,990; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $46,720; Vallejo, CA $46,590. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers jobs: California 16,080; Texas 8,440; North Carolina 6,910; Florida 6,790; New York 5,790. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 5,560 (median $46,160); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,830 (median $46,070); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 2,880 (median $36,110); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 2,740 (median $45,320); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 2,400 (median $45,640); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 2,390 (median $38,710). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET 31-9096.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 78%, Post-Secondary Certificate 11%, Less than a High School Diploma 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET description of Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 31-9096.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Animal Care Provider, Animal Caregiver, Avian Keeper, Certified Veterinary Assistant, Emergency Veterinary Assistant, Inpatient Technician Assistant, Kennel Vet Assistant (Kennel Veterinary Assistant), Research Animal Attendant. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in 2025: Veterinary services 86%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers: 5.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 10.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.