Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 50 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in All 50 States
Compare Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $48,050 | $44,050 | $32,950 | $48,630 | 360 |
| Massachusetts | $45,480 | $47,460 | $34,740 | $63,650 | 1,470 |
| California | $45,470 | $46,500 | $37,230 | $58,550 | 14,960 |
| Maine | $44,080 | $46,790 | $37,350 | $58,120 | 790 |
| Minnesota | $43,670 | $41,880 | $34,060 | $47,260 | 1,220 |
| Washington | $43,590 | $43,230 | $37,540 | $47,680 | 4,720 |
| Maryland | $43,520 | $44,880 | $34,680 | $59,860 | 1,690 |
| New York | $43,150 | $43,300 | $36,210 | $51,170 | 5,680 |
| New Jersey | $42,910 | $44,460 | $35,720 | $57,350 | 1,910 |
| Oregon | $42,830 | $42,500 | $35,620 | $48,230 | 2,670 |
| Connecticut | $39,540 | $46,350 | $34,480 | $71,200 | 1,270 |
| Colorado | $39,480 | $40,700 | $34,440 | $45,670 | 2,950 |
| Arizona | $38,240 | $39,460 | $33,620 | $49,230 | 2,210 |
| Alaska | $37,530 | $39,950 | $29,390 | $54,820 | 150 |
| Illinois | $37,310 | $38,890 | $30,300 | $47,830 | 3,790 |
| Florida | $37,200 | $37,460 | $29,350 | $45,650 | 7,060 |
| Montana | $37,060 | $36,660 | $28,910 | $41,720 | 580 |
| North Carolina | $36,680 | $37,510 | $29,920 | $45,810 | 5,190 |
| Michigan | $36,550 | $37,580 | $29,410 | $47,010 | 4,040 |
| Virginia | $36,500 | $37,410 | $30,400 | $45,800 | 4,880 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,480 | $38,070 | $30,390 | $47,010 | 4,390 |
| Tennessee | $36,440 | $36,510 | $29,410 | $44,020 | 2,180 |
| Wyoming | $36,430 | $34,360 | $29,380 | $38,020 | 160 |
| North Dakota | $36,370 | $37,400 | $31,210 | $43,230 | 240 |
| Nevada | $36,160 | $37,130 | $30,570 | $47,380 | 1,400 |
| Vermont | $36,120 | $36,510 | $30,320 | $45,490 | 260 |
| Delaware | $36,060 | $37,710 | $30,260 | $47,780 | 180 |
| Idaho | $35,820 | $35,460 | $27,070 | $45,970 | 790 |
| Utah | $35,730 | $36,980 | $30,570 | $46,710 | 720 |
| South Carolina | $35,680 | $36,240 | $28,280 | $48,430 | 1,840 |
| New Mexico | $35,600 | $35,320 | $28,920 | $44,910 | 470 |
| Hawaii | $35,420 | $39,230 | $29,590 | $48,240 | 510 |
| Indiana | $35,270 | $34,860 | $28,020 | $43,370 | 2,670 |
| New Hampshire | $35,230 | $35,930 | $28,180 | $45,140 | 560 |
| Nebraska | $35,210 | $34,410 | $28,290 | $39,320 | 800 |
| Missouri | $35,040 | $34,890 | $29,250 | $40,670 | 2,040 |
| Wisconsin | $34,990 | $35,010 | $29,160 | $42,800 | 1,940 |
| Georgia | $34,980 | $34,530 | $28,410 | $41,250 | 3,280 |
| Ohio | $34,820 | $35,850 | $28,820 | $45,900 | 4,190 |
| South Dakota | $32,810 | $32,290 | $26,950 | $36,670 | 270 |
| Kansas | $32,670 | $33,870 | $26,000 | $46,100 | 1,490 |
| West Virginia | $32,630 | $31,720 | $22,770 | $36,990 | 660 |
| Kentucky | $32,590 | $33,830 | $23,750 | $45,490 | 930 |
| Iowa | $31,200 | $34,410 | $28,930 | $45,320 | 1,040 |
| Arkansas | $30,550 | $33,340 | $27,000 | $37,490 | 1,200 |
| Texas | $30,430 | $33,170 | $22,040 | $46,020 | 8,040 |
| Mississippi | $29,730 | $30,440 | $23,480 | $35,900 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $29,730 | $32,180 | $21,410 | $44,650 | 1,640 |
| Alabama | $29,660 | $31,240 | $23,420 | $38,540 | 1,060 |
| Louisiana | $29,280 | $31,130 | $26,180 | $37,790 | 970 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary FAQs
Which state pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss the most?
Rhode Island pays the highest median salary for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss at $48,050 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Rhode Island ($48,050), Massachusetts ($45,480), California ($45,470), Maine ($44,080), Minnesota ($43,670).
What is the average Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary nationally?
The average median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary across all 50 states is $36,759 per year. The salary ranges from $29,280 in Louisiana to $48,050 in Rhode Island — a difference of $18,770.
Which state pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss the least?
Louisiana has the lowest median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary at $29,280 per year. However, cost of living in Louisiana may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.