National Salary Overview
VS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Median Salary
$38,713
Average (Mean)
$39,422
Employed Nationwide
126,190
Nursing Assistants earns $3,099 more (8.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$41,812
$38,713
Average (Mean) Salary
$42,553
$39,422
Total Employment
1,448,920
126,190
States with Higher Pay
45
6
Salary by State: Nursing Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Nursing Assistants pays more in 45 states; Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 6.
| State | Nursing Assistants | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,140 | $35,800 | $-1,660 | ||
| Alaska | $46,370 | $36,490 | +$9,880 | ||
| Arizona | $44,780 | $38,250 | +$6,530 | ||
| Arkansas | $34,430 | $34,570 | $-140 | ||
| California | $47,630 | $46,260 | +$1,370 | ||
| Colorado | $47,380 | $38,900 | +$8,480 | ||
| Connecticut | $44,790 | $44,250 | +$540 | ||
| Delaware | $42,030 | $38,610 | +$3,420 | ||
| District of Columbia | $47,700 | $49,080 | $-1,380 | ||
| Florida | $37,510 | $37,830 | $-320 | ||
| Georgia | $37,680 | $35,850 | +$1,830 | ||
| Hawaii | $45,350 | $44,070 | +$1,280 | ||
| Idaho | $38,650 | $37,530 | +$1,120 | ||
| Illinois | $45,960 | $37,480 | +$8,480 | ||
| Indiana | $38,330 | $36,420 | +$1,910 | ||
| Iowa | $39,350 | $35,720 | +$3,630 | ||
| Kansas | $38,010 | $35,680 | +$2,330 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,370 | $34,140 | +$4,230 | ||
| Louisiana | $30,510 | $30,480 | +$30 | ||
| Maine | $47,070 | $45,510 | +$1,560 | ||
| Maryland | $43,240 | $44,770 | $-1,530 | ||
| Massachusetts | $46,680 | $46,670 | +$10 | ||
| Michigan | $39,570 | $37,960 | +$1,610 | ||
| Minnesota | $46,680 | $45,280 | +$1,400 | ||
| Mississippi | $31,520 | $30,360 | +$1,160 | ||
| Missouri | $37,680 | $36,660 | +$1,020 | ||
| Montana | $40,900 | $38,340 | +$2,560 | ||
| Nebraska | $40,000 | $36,100 | +$3,900 | ||
| Nevada | $45,490 | $36,920 | +$8,570 | ||
| New Hampshire | $47,870 | $36,910 | +$10,960 | ||
| New Jersey | $46,830 | $46,160 | +$670 | ||
| New Mexico | $39,390 | $37,500 | +$1,890 | ||
| New York | $48,590 | $44,750 | +$3,840 | ||
| North Carolina | $38,460 | $37,070 | +$1,390 | ||
| North Dakota | $45,820 | $37,160 | +$8,660 | ||
| Ohio | $39,010 | $36,340 | +$2,670 | ||
| Oklahoma | $35,930 | $34,850 | +$1,080 | ||
| Oregon | $49,830 | $44,370 | +$5,460 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $44,590 | $37,140 | +$7,450 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,440 | $49,770 | $-3,330 | ||
| South Carolina | $37,220 | $36,980 | +$240 | ||
| South Dakota | $38,800 | $34,700 | +$4,100 | ||
| Tennessee | $37,990 | $36,320 | +$1,670 | ||
| Texas | $37,500 | $34,850 | +$2,650 | ||
| Utah | $39,840 | $37,560 | +$2,280 | ||
| Vermont | $47,130 | $37,290 | +$9,840 | ||
| Virginia | $43,200 | $37,450 | +$5,750 | ||
| Washington | $49,180 | $44,150 | +$5,030 | ||
| West Virginia | $36,720 | $32,350 | +$4,370 | ||
| Wisconsin | $45,130 | $36,850 | +$8,280 | ||
| Wyoming | $39,160 | $37,880 | +$1,280 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Nursing 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: Nursing Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
On average across all states, a Nursing Assistants earns more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. The national median salary difference is $3,099 (8.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Nursing Assistants earn more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
A Nursing Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in 45 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 6 states.
What is the median salary for a Nursing Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
The national median salary for a Nursing Assistants is $41,812 per year, compared to $38,713 for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Nursing Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 1,448,920 Nursing Assistants positions and 126,190 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Nursing Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Both Nursing 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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