Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Also called: Veterinary Assistants
Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.
Also called: Animal Care Provider, Animal Care Service Worker, Animal Care Specialist, Animal Caregiver, Animal Caretaker, Animal Health Technician
Median pay
$38,150
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$30,120 – $49,150
People employed
126,580
Holland code
RIC
Realistic · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 2.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 4.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Tight deadlines are common
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in every state →
What veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers do
- 01Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
- 02Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- 03Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
- 04Fill medication prescriptions.
- 05Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- 06Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Biology
- Administrative
- Medicine and Dentistry
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Animal Caretakers89% · −7%
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians86% · +24%
- Paramedics75% · +59%
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses75% · +69%
- Surgical Assistants75% · +75%
Change into veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Animal Caretakers89% · $35,360
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians83% · $47,380
- Animal Trainers78% · $39,990
- Animal Control Workers76% · $45,660
- Ophthalmic Medical Technologists74% · $50,290
Majors that lead here
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.