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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in DC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in DC have a median annual salary of $49,080, with 240 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $46,570 at the 10th percentile to $72,840 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$49,080

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$23.60

Employment

240

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$46,570
10th
$46,960
25th
$49,080
Median
$60,700
75th
$72,840
90th

Local compared with national

DC

$49,080

Median annual · 2025

United States

$38,150

Median annual · 2025

The DC median is 28.7% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $10,930).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 3.5
  2. 2.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.3
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.1
  4. 4.WritingImportance 3.1
  5. 5.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  6. 6.Service OrientationImportance 3.1
  7. 7.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0
  9. 9.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Active LearningImportance 2.9
  12. 12.InstructingImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • 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

Common tasks

  • Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
  • 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.
  • Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.
  • Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in other locations

Other occupations in DC