# Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

SOC 31-9096. Page: https://educationguide.com/careers/veterinary-assistants-and-laboratory-animal-caretakers

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.

## Pay and outlook
- U.S. median wage $38,150 (middle half $35,660–$45,710; BLS May 2025)
- Ages 25-34: median $33,516; 37% hold a bachelor's or higher (Census ACS 2020-2024)
- Jobs 2025-35: 9.1%; ~23.2k openings a year; typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent

## Fields of degree of young workers (ages 25-34, bachelor's+)
- Biology: 21% (https://educationguide.com/degrees/biology)
- Animal Sciences: 19% (https://educationguide.com/degrees/animal-sciences)
- Psychology: 5% (https://educationguide.com/degrees/psychology)
- Criminal Justice And Fire Protection: 3% (https://educationguide.com/degrees/criminal-justice, https://educationguide.com/degrees/security-homeland-security)
- Zoology: 3% (https://educationguide.com/degrees/zoology-animal-biology)
- Nursing: 2% (https://educationguide.com/degrees/nursing)
- Community And Public Health: 2% (https://educationguide.com/degrees/public-health)
- Marketing And Marketing Research: 2% (https://educationguide.com/degrees/marketing, https://educationguide.com/degrees/specialized-sales-merchandising-and-marketing-operations)
- General Agriculture: 2%
- Anthropology And Archeology: 2% (https://educationguide.com/degrees/anthropology)

## Median wage by state
- AK: $36,490
- AL: $35,800
- AR: $34,570
- AZ: $38,250
- CA: $46,260
- CO: $38,900
- CT: $44,250
- DC: $49,080
- DE: $38,610
- FL: $37,830
- GA: $35,850
- HI: $44,070
- IA: $35,720
- ID: $37,530
- IL: $37,480
- IN: $36,420
- KS: $35,680
- KY: $34,140
- LA: $30,480
- MA: $46,670
- MD: $44,770
- ME: $45,510
- MI: $37,960
- MN: $45,280
- MO: $36,660
- MS: $30,360
- MT: $38,340
- NC: $37,070
- ND: $37,160
- NE: $36,100
- NH: $36,910
- NJ: $46,160
- NM: $37,500
- NV: $36,920
- NY: $44,750
- OH: $36,340
- OK: $34,850
- OR: $44,370
- PA: $37,140
- PR: $23,310
- RI: $49,770
- SC: $36,980
- SD: $34,700
- TN: $36,320
- TX: $34,850
- UT: $37,560
- VA: $37,450
- VT: $37,290
- WA: $44,150
- WI: $36,850
- WV: $32,350
- WY: $37,880

Method: https://educationguide.com/how-we-score#careers

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