National Salary Overview
VS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Median Salary
$38,713
Average (Mean)
$39,422
Employed Nationwide
126,190
Medical Assistants earns $5,889 more (15.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$44,602
$38,713
Average (Mean) Salary
$45,471
$39,422
Total Employment
817,850
126,190
States with Higher Pay
50
1
Salary by State: Medical Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Assistants pays more in 50 states; Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 1.
| State | Medical Assistants | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,100 | $35,800 | +$300 | ||
| Alaska | $52,560 | $36,490 | +$16,070 | ||
| Arizona | $45,940 | $38,250 | +$7,690 | ||
| Arkansas | $37,760 | $34,570 | +$3,190 | ||
| California | $49,660 | $46,260 | +$3,400 | ||
| Colorado | $48,400 | $38,900 | +$9,500 | ||
| Connecticut | $47,430 | $44,250 | +$3,180 | ||
| Delaware | $44,490 | $38,610 | +$5,880 | ||
| District of Columbia | $51,050 | $49,080 | +$1,970 | ||
| Florida | $43,680 | $37,830 | +$5,850 | ||
| Georgia | $41,600 | $35,850 | +$5,750 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,410 | $44,070 | +$4,340 | ||
| Idaho | $44,700 | $37,530 | +$7,170 | ||
| Illinois | $46,090 | $37,480 | +$8,610 | ||
| Indiana | $45,110 | $36,420 | +$8,690 | ||
| Iowa | $45,480 | $35,720 | +$9,760 | ||
| Kansas | $39,510 | $35,680 | +$3,830 | ||
| Kentucky | $39,270 | $34,140 | +$5,130 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,320 | $30,480 | +$5,840 | ||
| Maine | $47,580 | $45,510 | +$2,070 | ||
| Maryland | $46,410 | $44,770 | +$1,640 | ||
| Massachusetts | $49,460 | $46,670 | +$2,790 | ||
| Michigan | $39,870 | $37,960 | +$1,910 | ||
| Minnesota | $50,480 | $45,280 | +$5,200 | ||
| Mississippi | $35,360 | $30,360 | +$5,000 | ||
| Missouri | $40,440 | $36,660 | +$3,780 | ||
| Montana | $46,820 | $38,340 | +$8,480 | ||
| Nebraska | $47,370 | $36,100 | +$11,270 | ||
| Nevada | $45,200 | $36,920 | +$8,280 | ||
| New Hampshire | $48,020 | $36,910 | +$11,110 | ||
| New Jersey | $47,210 | $46,160 | +$1,050 | ||
| New Mexico | $39,230 | $37,500 | +$1,730 | ||
| New York | $48,000 | $44,750 | +$3,250 | ||
| North Carolina | $45,140 | $37,070 | +$8,070 | ||
| North Dakota | $45,980 | $37,160 | +$8,820 | ||
| Ohio | $42,810 | $36,340 | +$6,470 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,750 | $34,850 | +$3,900 | ||
| Oregon | $50,410 | $44,370 | +$6,040 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $43,920 | $37,140 | +$6,780 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,190 | $49,770 | $-2,580 | ||
| South Carolina | $41,160 | $36,980 | +$4,180 | ||
| South Dakota | $41,870 | $34,700 | +$7,170 | ||
| Tennessee | $39,570 | $36,320 | +$3,250 | ||
| Texas | $39,520 | $34,850 | +$4,670 | ||
| Utah | $45,360 | $37,560 | +$7,800 | ||
| Vermont | $47,250 | $37,290 | +$9,960 | ||
| Virginia | $44,740 | $37,450 | +$7,290 | ||
| Washington | $59,290 | $44,150 | +$15,140 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,180 | $32,350 | +$4,830 | ||
| Wisconsin | $48,680 | $36,850 | +$11,830 | ||
| Wyoming | $40,920 | $37,880 | +$3,040 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Medical 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: Medical Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
On average across all states, a Medical Assistants earns more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. The national median salary difference is $5,889 (15.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Medical Assistants earn more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
A Medical Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in 50 out of 51 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 Medical Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistants is $44,602 per year, compared to $38,713 for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 817,850 Medical Assistants positions and 126,190 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Medical Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Both Medical 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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