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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in District of Columbia (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary grow from entry-level to senior in District of Columbia? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

56% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • District of Columbia salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$46,570
$3,881/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$49,080
$4,090/mo
Senior (P90)
$72,840
$6,070/mo

District of Columbia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$46,570
National: $31,565
+47.5%
Mid-Career (Median)
$49,080
National: $38,713
+26.8%
Senior (P90)
$72,840
National: $48,521
+50.1%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in District of Columbia spans from $46,570 at entry-level to $72,840 at senior level — a difference of $26,270 per year.

P10
$46K
P25
$46K
Median
$49K
P75
$60K
P90
$72K

Career Growth Premium: +56%

Senior Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss in District of Columbia earn $26,270 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$26,270
Monthly Difference
+$2,189
Hourly Difference
+$12.63
Growth Multiple
1.6x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary increases with experience in District of Columbia, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $46,570 $3,881 $22.39
Early Career P25 $46,960 $3,913 $22.58
Mid-Career Median $49,080 $4,090 $23.60
Experienced P75 $60,700 $5,058 $29.18
Senior / Expert P90 $72,840 $6,070 $35.02
Key Insight

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in District of Columbia has a moderate salary progression with a 56% growth from entry-level ($46,570) to senior ($72,840). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($49,080) and P90 ($72,840) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How District of Columbia Compares to Other States

Where does District of Columbia rank for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers senior-level salaries? Compare District of Columbia's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$72,840
Entry: $46K
+56%
2
$63,130
Entry: $35K
+78%
3
$60,710
Entry: $37K
+63%
4
$59,950
Entry: $35K
+67%
5
$59,790
Entry: $37K
+60%
6
$57,940
Entry: $37K
+53%
7
$57,930
Entry: $34K
+67%
8
$57,670
Entry: $36K
+57%
9
$55,050
Entry: $38K
+43%
10
$53,460
Entry: $36K
+47%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?

Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $46,570 per year, or $3,880 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $46,960. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make?

Senior Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $72,840 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $60,700. This represents a career premium of 56% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?

The career salary growth potential for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss is 56%. Entry-level professionals start at $46,570, while senior-level can earn up to $72,840 — a difference of $26,270 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss is District of Columbia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $72,840 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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All Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers & District of Columbia Resources

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for District of Columbia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within District of Columbia.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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