Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Career, Salary and Skills
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $38,150 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 126,580. Wage data is published for 335 locations.
Occupation description
Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.
O*NET code
31-9096.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$38,150
Hourly median
$18.34
Employment
126,580
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.50 | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Writing | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Service Orientation | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Time Management | 3.00 | 2.38 |
Typical tasks
- Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- Fill medication prescriptions.
- Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
- Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
- Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
- Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
Technology
- IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone
- Labeling software
- McAllister Software Systems AVImark
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Practice management software PMS
- Scheduling software
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in CAMedian $46,260 · Employment 16,080
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in TXMedian $34,850 · Employment 8,440
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in NCMedian $37,070 · Employment 6,910
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in FLMedian $37,830 · Employment 6,790
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in NYMedian $44,750 · Employment 5,790
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in New York, NYMedian $46,160 · Employment 5,560
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $46,070 · Employment 4,830
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in VAMedian $37,450 · Employment 4,810
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in OHMedian $36,340 · Employment 4,640
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in GAMedian $35,850 · Employment 4,570
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in MIMedian $37,960 · Employment 4,420
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in WAMedian $44,150 · Employment 4,380
Related careers
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- PharmacistsNational median $140,910
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory TechnologistsNational median not published
- Physician AssistantsNational median $135,880
- Registered NursesNational median $97,550
- Physicians, PathologistsNational median $312,400
- Cardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansNational median $74,310
- Allergists and ImmunologistsNational median $265,930
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.