Veterinary assistants provide support to veterinarians in caring for animals, while laboratory animal caretakers are responsible for the daily care and well-being of animals used in research.
This article will explore the best states for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. Massachusetts ($43,190)
- 2. Maine ($42,720)
- 3. New York ($40,270)
- 4. California ($40,090)
- 5. Connecticut ($40,050)
- 6. Rhode Island ($40,020)
- 7. Alaska ($39,440)
- 8. Maryland ($39,300)
- 9. District of Columbia ($38,890)
- 10. Washington ($38,720)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are in Massachusetts, where they earn an average of $43,190 per year.
- The lowest-paid veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are in Puerto Rico, where they earn an average of $21,440 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $33,582 per year.
1. Massachusetts ($43,190)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Massachusetts earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Massachusetts is
$43,190, which is +29% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $43,190 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $58,630 |
2. Maine ($42,720)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Maine earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Maine is
$42,720, which is +27% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $42,720 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,800 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,580 |
| 90th Percentile | $59,270 |
3. New York ($40,270)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in New York earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in New York is
$40,270, which is +20% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $40,270 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,450 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $50,570 |
4. California ($40,090)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in California earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in California is
$40,090, which is +19% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $40,090 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,970 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,070 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,050 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,090 |
5. Connecticut ($40,050)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Connecticut earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Connecticut is
$40,050, which is +19% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $40,050 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,730 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,970 |
| 90th Percentile | $62,740 |
6. Rhode Island ($40,020)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Rhode Island earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Rhode Island is
$40,020, which is +19% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $40,020 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,040 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $45,970 |
7. Alaska ($39,440)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Alaska earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Alaska is
$39,440, which is +17% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $39,440 |
| 10th Percentile | $36,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,430 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,000 |
8. Maryland ($39,300)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Maryland earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Maryland is
$39,300, which is +17% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $39,300 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,440 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,100 |
| 90th Percentile | $48,430 |
9. District of Columbia ($38,890)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in District of Columbia earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in District of Columbia is
$38,890, which is +16% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $38,890 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,040 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,710 |
| 90th Percentile | $50,380 |
10. Washington ($38,720)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Washington earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Washington is
$38,720, which is +15% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $38,720 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,780 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $45,500 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are in Massachusetts, where they earn an average of $43,190 per year. The lowest-paid veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are in Puerto Rico, where they earn an average of $21,440 per year. The U.S. average salary for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $33,582 per year and there are 112,240 jobs in the field.
