Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
SOC code 31-9096 · O*NET-SOC 31-9096.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$38,150
a year
Hourly
$18.34
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$40,340
$19.39 per hour
Middle 50%
$35,660 – $45,710
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$30,120 – $49,150
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
126,580
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $30,120
- $14.48/hr
- 25th percentile
- $35,660
- $17.15/hr
- Median percentile
- $38,150
- $18.34/hr
- 75th percentile
- $45,710
- $21.98/hr
- 90th percentile
- $49,150
- $23.63/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+9%
Growing much faster than average
117,800
jobs in 2024
128,100
projected for 2034
About 10,300 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
- Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 78% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)78%
- Post-Secondary Certificate11%
- Less than a High School Diploma6%
- Some College Courses4%
Common questions
How much does a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers earn?
The national median is $38,150 a year. The full range runs from $30,120 at the 10th percentile to $49,150 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 9% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.5/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Writing3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Speaking3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Biology3.6/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
- Mathematics2.9/5
- Communications and Media2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management.