Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary by State
Also called: Veterinary Assistants
The national median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $38,150 a year. By state, it ranges from $30,360 in Mississippi to $49,770 in Rhode Island.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $30,120
- 25th percentile
- $35,660
- Median
- $38,150
- 75th percentile
- $45,710
- Top 10%
- $49,150
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 126,580 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $49,770 | +30% | $35,510 | $50,130 | 380 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $49,080 | +29% | $46,570 | $72,840 | 240 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $46,670 | +22% | $35,460 | $63,130 | 2,130 |
| 4 | California | $46,260 | +21% | $37,800 | $57,940 | 16,080 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $46,160 | +21% | $36,720 | $57,670 | 3,270 |
| 6 | Maine | $45,510 | +19% | $37,380 | $59,790 | 690 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $45,280 | +19% | $36,410 | $49,060 | 1,450 |
| 8 | Maryland | $44,770 | +17% | $37,150 | $60,710 | 2,220 |
| 9 | New York | $44,750 | +17% | $36,450 | $53,460 | 5,790 |
| 10 | Oregon | $44,370 | +16% | $36,480 | $49,470 | 3,170 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $44,250 | +16% | $35,920 | $59,950 | 1,390 |
| 12 | Washington | $44,150 | +16% | $38,470 | $55,050 | 4,380 |
| 13 | Hawaii | $44,070 | +16% | $35,200 | $49,400 | 570 |
| 14 | Colorado | $38,900 | +2% | $35,710 | $47,450 | 2,910 |
| 15 | Delaware | $38,610 | +1% | $34,680 | $57,930 | Not published |
| 16 | Montana | $38,340 | 0% | $29,430 | $45,220 | 550 |
| 17 | Arizona | $38,250 | 0% | $35,530 | $47,460 | 3,340 |
| 18 | Michigan | $37,960 | 0% | $30,410 | $46,730 | 4,420 |
| 19 | Wyoming | $37,880 | −1% | $30,610 | $39,080 | 150 |
| 20 | Florida | $37,830 | −1% | $31,090 | $47,270 | 6,790 |
| 21 | Utah | $37,560 | −2% | $31,890 | $49,100 | 580 |
| 22 | Idaho | $37,530 | −2% | $24,230 | $44,730 | 680 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $37,500 | −2% | $29,870 | $48,310 | 520 |
| 24 | Illinois | $37,480 | −2% | $31,550 | $47,000 | 3,270 |
| 25 | Virginia | $37,450 | −2% | $30,430 | $48,580 | 4,810 |
| 26 | Vermont | $37,290 | −2% | $30,690 | $45,880 | 370 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $37,160 | −3% | $33,800 | $46,830 | 270 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $37,140 | −3% | $30,010 | $47,200 | 3,760 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $37,070 | −3% | $28,830 | $46,470 | 6,910 |
| 30 | South Carolina | $36,980 | −3% | $27,390 | $48,630 | 1,720 |
| 31 | Nevada | $36,920 | −3% | $35,920 | $47,910 | 1,380 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $36,910 | −3% | $29,160 | $45,690 | 770 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $36,850 | −3% | $30,400 | $45,630 | 2,200 |
| 34 | Missouri | $36,660 | −4% | $30,280 | $45,940 | 2,010 |
| 35 | Alaska | $36,490 | −4% | $27,690 | $47,010 | 130 |
| 36 | Indiana | $36,420 | −5% | $29,580 | $44,780 | 2,810 |
| 37 | Ohio | $36,340 | −5% | $29,330 | $47,070 | 4,640 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $36,320 | −5% | $30,230 | $43,700 | 3,530 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $36,100 | −5% | $29,930 | $42,050 | 900 |
| 40 | Georgia | $35,850 | −6% | $29,210 | $44,810 | 4,570 |
| 41 | Alabama | $35,800 | −6% | $27,970 | $43,360 | 1,240 |
| 42 | Iowa | $35,720 | −6% | $29,440 | $47,220 | 1,380 |
| 43 | Kansas | $35,680 | −6% | $28,720 | $47,930 | 1,570 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $34,850 | −9% | $23,170 | $46,810 | 1,740 |
| 45 | Texas | $34,850 | −9% | $24,070 | $46,890 | 8,440 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $34,700 | −9% | $28,390 | $36,700 | 250 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $34,570 | −9% | $27,860 | $42,180 | 1,460 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $34,140 | −11% | $26,520 | $45,430 | 1,840 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $32,350 | −15% | $25,830 | $38,040 | 730 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $30,480 | −20% | $28,400 | $37,510 | 1,230 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $30,360 | −20% | $26,060 | $45,440 | 560 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary questions
Which state pays veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers the most?
Rhode Island, with a median of $49,770 a year (+30% vs. the national median of $38,150). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $30,360 a year (−20% vs. national).
Where do most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work?
California has the most jobs, about 16,080, with a median of $46,260.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.