Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Role Overview
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. Excludes “Animal Caretakers” (39-2021).
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Salary by State (top paying)
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $48,050 |
| Massachusetts | $45,480 |
| California | $45,470 |
| Maine | $44,080 |
| Minnesota | $43,670 |
| Washington | $43,590 |
| District of Columbia | $43,580 |
| Maryland | $43,520 |
| New York | $43,150 |
| New Jersey | $42,910 |
| Oregon | $42,830 |
| Connecticut | $39,540 |
| Colorado | $39,480 |
| Arizona | $38,240 |
| Alaska | $37,530 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for this career?
Projected growth and annual openings are from BLS Employment Projections. Use the sidebar for median salary and growth rate.
How does salary vary by state?
See the Salary by State table above for state-level median wages from OEWS data.
Median Annual Salary
$37,320
Projected Growth (10yr)
+8.7%
Avg. annual openings
22.2k
Market Insight
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