Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
South Dakota employs 250 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers professionals, below the national average concentration.
Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • South Dakota employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19
The location quotient (LQ) of 0.1 indicates that South Dakota has a below-average concentration of Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers professionals. This may suggest fewer local opportunities compared to other states, though national trends should also be considered.
Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.
The average annual salary for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in South Dakota is $33,240. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.
South Dakota employs approximately 250 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks South Dakota for this occupation nationwide.
South Dakota has average or below-average concentration of Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers jobs (LQ: 0.1). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.
The average (mean) salary for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in South Dakota is $33240/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.
Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.
The top state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers employment is California with 16,080 jobs.
Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for South Dakota's largest cities.
Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at South Dakota's leading institutions.
Compare Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.
Drill deeper into Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay, hiring, and education data for South Dakota.
Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (SOC 319096) in South Dakota.