National Salary Overview
VS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Median Salary
$38,713
Average (Mean)
$39,422
Employed Nationwide
126,190
Psychiatric Aides earns $4,558 more (11.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$43,271
$38,713
Average (Mean) Salary
$44,310
$39,422
Total Employment
33,860
126,190
States with Higher Pay
33
6
Salary by State: Psychiatric Aides vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Showing 39 states where both occupations have BLS data. Psychiatric Aides pays more in 33 states; Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 6.
| State | Psychiatric Aides | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,150 | $35,800 | $-8,650 | ||
| Alaska | $49,300 | $36,490 | +$12,810 | ||
| Arkansas | $36,270 | $34,570 | +$1,700 | ||
| California | $47,500 | $46,260 | +$1,240 | ||
| Colorado | $46,130 | $38,900 | +$7,230 | ||
| Connecticut | $44,660 | $44,250 | +$410 | ||
| Florida | $37,930 | $37,830 | +$100 | ||
| Georgia | $36,790 | $35,850 | +$940 | ||
| Hawaii | $52,310 | $44,070 | +$8,240 | ||
| Illinois | $48,670 | $37,480 | +$11,190 | ||
| Indiana | $44,860 | $36,420 | +$8,440 | ||
| Iowa | $39,260 | $35,720 | +$3,540 | ||
| Kansas | $38,390 | $35,680 | +$2,710 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,610 | $34,140 | +$4,470 | ||
| Louisiana | $30,030 | $30,480 | $-450 | ||
| Maine | $46,720 | $45,510 | +$1,210 | ||
| Maryland | $51,440 | $44,770 | +$6,670 | ||
| Massachusetts | $45,300 | $46,670 | $-1,370 | ||
| Michigan | $45,800 | $37,960 | +$7,840 | ||
| Minnesota | $55,040 | $45,280 | +$9,760 | ||
| Mississippi | $30,510 | $30,360 | +$150 | ||
| Missouri | $39,840 | $36,660 | +$3,180 | ||
| Montana | $46,340 | $38,340 | +$8,000 | ||
| Nevada | $51,400 | $36,920 | +$14,480 | ||
| New Jersey | $45,780 | $46,160 | $-380 | ||
| New York | $50,220 | $44,750 | +$5,470 | ||
| North Carolina | $38,400 | $37,070 | +$1,330 | ||
| Ohio | $38,480 | $36,340 | +$2,140 | ||
| Oklahoma | $44,960 | $34,850 | +$10,110 | ||
| Oregon | $48,300 | $44,370 | +$3,930 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $44,790 | $37,140 | +$7,650 | ||
| Rhode Island | $51,100 | $49,770 | +$1,330 | ||
| South Carolina | $36,320 | $36,980 | $-660 | ||
| Texas | $42,560 | $34,850 | +$7,710 | ||
| Utah | $40,810 | $37,560 | +$3,250 | ||
| Vermont | $47,860 | $37,290 | +$10,570 | ||
| Virginia | $37,280 | $37,450 | $-170 | ||
| Washington | $52,570 | $44,150 | +$8,420 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,910 | $32,350 | +$5,560 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Psychiatric Aides vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Psychiatric Aides or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
On average across all states, a Psychiatric Aides earns more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. The national median salary difference is $4,558 (11.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Psychiatric Aides earn more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
A Psychiatric Aides earns a higher median salary than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in 33 out of 39 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 Psychiatric Aides vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
The national median salary for a Psychiatric Aides is $43,271 per year, compared to $38,713 for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Psychiatric Aides or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
There are more people employed as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. BLS reports approximately 33,860 Psychiatric Aides positions and 126,190 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Psychiatric Aides or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Both Psychiatric Aides 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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