National Salary Overview
VS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Median Salary
$38,713
Average (Mean)
$39,422
Employed Nationwide
126,190
Medical Equipment Preparers earns $7,919 more (20.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$46,632
$38,713
Average (Mean) Salary
$48,352
$39,422
Total Employment
77,410
126,190
States with Higher Pay
48
2
Salary by State: Medical Equipment Preparers vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 48 states; Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 2.
| State | Medical Equipment Preparers | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,800 | $35,800 | $0 | ||
| Alaska | $49,920 | $36,490 | +$13,430 | ||
| Arizona | $46,790 | $38,250 | +$8,540 | ||
| Arkansas | $38,100 | $34,570 | +$3,530 | ||
| California | $61,370 | $46,260 | +$15,110 | ||
| Colorado | $47,700 | $38,900 | +$8,800 | ||
| Connecticut | $47,980 | $44,250 | +$3,730 | ||
| Delaware | $53,300 | $38,610 | +$14,690 | ||
| District of Columbia | $48,670 | $49,080 | $-410 | ||
| Florida | $45,890 | $37,830 | +$8,060 | ||
| Georgia | $47,850 | $35,850 | +$12,000 | ||
| Hawaii | $51,630 | $44,070 | +$7,560 | ||
| Idaho | $46,450 | $37,530 | +$8,920 | ||
| Illinois | $48,050 | $37,480 | +$10,570 | ||
| Indiana | $45,210 | $36,420 | +$8,790 | ||
| Iowa | $39,930 | $35,720 | +$4,210 | ||
| Kansas | $45,280 | $35,680 | +$9,600 | ||
| Kentucky | $46,880 | $34,140 | +$12,740 | ||
| Louisiana | $35,960 | $30,480 | +$5,480 | ||
| Maine | $46,860 | $45,510 | +$1,350 | ||
| Maryland | $48,680 | $44,770 | +$3,910 | ||
| Massachusetts | $58,580 | $46,670 | +$11,910 | ||
| Michigan | $45,670 | $37,960 | +$7,710 | ||
| Minnesota | $50,070 | $45,280 | +$4,790 | ||
| Mississippi | $35,160 | $30,360 | +$4,800 | ||
| Missouri | $43,480 | $36,660 | +$6,820 | ||
| Montana | $44,670 | $38,340 | +$6,330 | ||
| Nebraska | $41,480 | $36,100 | +$5,380 | ||
| Nevada | $46,640 | $36,920 | +$9,720 | ||
| New Hampshire | $48,900 | $36,910 | +$11,990 | ||
| New Jersey | $50,280 | $46,160 | +$4,120 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,720 | $37,500 | $-780 | ||
| New York | $57,320 | $44,750 | +$12,570 | ||
| North Carolina | $45,130 | $37,070 | +$8,060 | ||
| North Dakota | $38,910 | $37,160 | +$1,750 | ||
| Ohio | $45,540 | $36,340 | +$9,200 | ||
| Oklahoma | $43,460 | $34,850 | +$8,610 | ||
| Oregon | $48,890 | $44,370 | +$4,520 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $45,820 | $37,140 | +$8,680 | ||
| Rhode Island | $51,460 | $49,770 | +$1,690 | ||
| South Carolina | $42,510 | $36,980 | +$5,530 | ||
| South Dakota | $42,330 | $34,700 | +$7,630 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,990 | $36,320 | +$10,670 | ||
| Texas | $46,970 | $34,850 | +$12,120 | ||
| Utah | $47,980 | $37,560 | +$10,420 | ||
| Vermont | $48,990 | $37,290 | +$11,700 | ||
| Virginia | $46,580 | $37,450 | +$9,130 | ||
| Washington | $58,830 | $44,150 | +$14,680 | ||
| West Virginia | $44,830 | $32,350 | +$12,480 | ||
| Wisconsin | $47,570 | $36,850 | +$10,720 | ||
| Wyoming | $48,210 | $37,880 | +$10,330 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Medical Equipment Preparers 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 Equipment Preparers or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
On average across all states, a Medical Equipment Preparers earns more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. The national median salary difference is $7,919 (20.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Medical Equipment Preparers earn more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
A Medical Equipment Preparers earns a higher median salary than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in 48 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Medical Equipment Preparers vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
The national median salary for a Medical Equipment Preparers is $46,632 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 Equipment Preparers or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
There are more people employed as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. BLS reports approximately 77,410 Medical Equipment Preparers positions and 126,190 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Medical Equipment Preparers or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Both Medical Equipment Preparers 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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