National Salary Overview
VS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Median Salary
$38,713
Average (Mean)
$39,422
Employed Nationwide
126,190
Massage Therapists earns $21,561 more (55.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$60,274
$38,713
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,071
$39,422
Total Employment
98,600
126,190
States with Higher Pay
49
1
Salary by State: Massage Therapists vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Massage Therapists pays more in 49 states; Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 1.
| State | Massage Therapists | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,930 | $35,800 | +$13,130 | ||
| Alaska | $134,930 | $36,490 | +$98,440 | ||
| Arizona | $62,400 | $38,250 | +$24,150 | ||
| Arkansas | $39,990 | $34,570 | +$5,420 | ||
| California | $45,970 | $46,260 | $-290 | ||
| Colorado | $61,060 | $38,900 | +$22,160 | ||
| Connecticut | $62,260 | $44,250 | +$18,010 | ||
| Delaware | $58,870 | $38,610 | +$20,260 | ||
| District of Columbia | $64,110 | $49,080 | +$15,030 | ||
| Florida | $49,680 | $37,830 | +$11,850 | ||
| Georgia | $50,820 | $35,850 | +$14,970 | ||
| Hawaii | $81,280 | $44,070 | +$37,210 | ||
| Idaho | $60,420 | $37,530 | +$22,890 | ||
| Illinois | $60,490 | $37,480 | +$23,010 | ||
| Indiana | $55,590 | $36,420 | +$19,170 | ||
| Iowa | $57,710 | $35,720 | +$21,990 | ||
| Kansas | $49,990 | $35,680 | +$14,310 | ||
| Kentucky | $59,790 | $34,140 | +$25,650 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,480 | $30,480 | +$6,000 | ||
| Maine | $73,290 | $45,510 | +$27,780 | ||
| Maryland | $62,270 | $44,770 | +$17,500 | ||
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | $46,670 | +$16,720 | ||
| Michigan | $70,960 | $37,960 | +$33,000 | ||
| Minnesota | $63,070 | $45,280 | +$17,790 | ||
| Mississippi | $40,490 | $30,360 | +$10,130 | ||
| Missouri | $62,050 | $36,660 | +$25,390 | ||
| Montana | $53,540 | $38,340 | +$15,200 | ||
| Nebraska | $53,950 | $36,100 | +$17,850 | ||
| Nevada | $53,540 | $36,920 | +$16,620 | ||
| New Hampshire | $80,360 | $36,910 | +$43,450 | ||
| New Jersey | $50,150 | $46,160 | +$3,990 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,840 | $37,500 | +$340 | ||
| New York | $62,630 | $44,750 | +$17,880 | ||
| North Carolina | $60,650 | $37,070 | +$23,580 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,140 | $37,160 | +$36,980 | ||
| Ohio | $55,990 | $36,340 | +$19,650 | ||
| Oklahoma | $36,630 | $34,850 | +$1,780 | ||
| Oregon | $86,970 | $44,370 | +$42,600 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $58,300 | $37,140 | +$21,160 | ||
| Rhode Island | $74,960 | $49,770 | +$25,190 | ||
| South Carolina | $58,000 | $36,980 | +$21,020 | ||
| South Dakota | $52,000 | $34,700 | +$17,300 | ||
| Tennessee | $50,070 | $36,320 | +$13,750 | ||
| Texas | $59,370 | $34,850 | +$24,520 | ||
| Utah | $62,130 | $37,560 | +$24,570 | ||
| Virginia | $62,220 | $37,450 | +$24,770 | ||
| Washington | $87,360 | $44,150 | +$43,210 | ||
| West Virginia | $46,600 | $32,350 | +$14,250 | ||
| Wisconsin | $58,070 | $36,850 | +$21,220 | ||
| Wyoming | $61,980 | $37,880 | +$24,100 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Massage Therapists vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Massage Therapists or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
On average across all states, a Massage Therapists earns more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. The national median salary difference is $21,561 (55.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Massage Therapists earn more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
A Massage Therapists earns a higher median salary than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in 49 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 1 states.
What is the median salary for a Massage Therapists vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
The national median salary for a Massage Therapists is $60,274 per year, compared to $38,713 for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Massage Therapists or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
There are more people employed as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. BLS reports approximately 98,600 Massage Therapists positions and 126,190 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Massage Therapists or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Both Massage Therapists 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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