National Salary Overview
VS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Median Salary
$38,713
Average (Mean)
$39,422
Employed Nationwide
126,190
Dental Assistants earns $10,386 more (26.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$49,100
$38,713
Average (Mean) Salary
$49,858
$39,422
Total Employment
384,650
126,190
States with Higher Pay
50
0
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 50 states; Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 0.
| State | Dental Assistants | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,080 | $35,800 | +$3,280 | ||
| Alaska | $57,710 | $36,490 | +$21,220 | ||
| Arizona | $49,000 | $38,250 | +$10,750 | ||
| Arkansas | $42,830 | $34,570 | +$8,260 | ||
| California | $50,110 | $46,260 | +$3,850 | ||
| Colorado | $48,340 | $38,900 | +$9,440 | ||
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $44,250 | +$12,600 | ||
| Delaware | $47,600 | $38,610 | +$8,990 | ||
| District of Columbia | $60,580 | $49,080 | +$11,500 | ||
| Florida | $47,620 | $37,830 | +$9,790 | ||
| Georgia | $46,840 | $35,850 | +$10,990 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,720 | $44,070 | +$650 | ||
| Idaho | $45,880 | $37,530 | +$8,350 | ||
| Illinois | $48,610 | $37,480 | +$11,130 | ||
| Indiana | $48,670 | $36,420 | +$12,250 | ||
| Iowa | $48,430 | $35,720 | +$12,710 | ||
| Kentucky | $47,730 | $34,140 | +$13,590 | ||
| Louisiana | $44,090 | $30,480 | +$13,610 | ||
| Maine | $60,070 | $45,510 | +$14,560 | ||
| Maryland | $48,620 | $44,770 | +$3,850 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | $46,670 | +$11,310 | ||
| Michigan | $48,820 | $37,960 | +$10,860 | ||
| Minnesota | $65,270 | $45,280 | +$19,990 | ||
| Mississippi | $39,160 | $30,360 | +$8,800 | ||
| Missouri | $45,970 | $36,660 | +$9,310 | ||
| Montana | $46,680 | $38,340 | +$8,340 | ||
| Nebraska | $46,660 | $36,100 | +$10,560 | ||
| Nevada | $47,110 | $36,920 | +$10,190 | ||
| New Hampshire | $59,530 | $36,910 | +$22,620 | ||
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $46,160 | +$3,230 | ||
| New Mexico | $44,400 | $37,500 | +$6,900 | ||
| New York | $48,110 | $44,750 | +$3,360 | ||
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $37,070 | +$13,310 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,770 | $37,160 | +$20,610 | ||
| Ohio | $47,970 | $36,340 | +$11,630 | ||
| Oklahoma | $45,740 | $34,850 | +$10,890 | ||
| Oregon | $59,490 | $44,370 | +$15,120 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $37,140 | +$10,790 | ||
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $49,770 | +$380 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,320 | $36,980 | +$10,340 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,900 | $34,700 | +$13,200 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,720 | $36,320 | +$10,400 | ||
| Texas | $45,430 | $34,850 | +$10,580 | ||
| Utah | $37,760 | $37,560 | +$200 | ||
| Vermont | $52,760 | $37,290 | +$15,470 | ||
| Virginia | $46,670 | $37,450 | +$9,220 | ||
| Washington | $58,090 | $44,150 | +$13,940 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,960 | $32,350 | +$5,610 | ||
| Wisconsin | $47,520 | $36,850 | +$10,670 | ||
| Wyoming | $44,990 | $37,880 | +$7,110 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Dental Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
On average across all states, a Dental Assistants earns more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. The national median salary difference is $10,386 (26.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $49,100 per year, compared to $38,713 for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 384,650 Dental Assistants positions and 126,190 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Both Dental Assistants and Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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