Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Pay and outlook

Median annual wage, May 2025

$38,150

Half earn more, half earn less

Middle half earn

$35,660 – $45,710

25th to 75th percentile

People employed, May 2025

126,580

Wage and salary jobs (OEWS)

Projected change, 2025–35

+9.1%

Growing at twice the all-jobs rate or more (7%+)

Openings a year (projected)

23,200

New jobs plus replacing people who leave

Typical education to enter

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS

• All figures are for the United States as a whole. Pay varies a lot by state and city.
• Wages are for everyone working in the occupation in May 2025, at every career stage. They are not starting salaries or figures for new graduates.
• Growth and openings are BLS projections for 2025–35. They are estimates, not promises. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or change occupation, not just new jobs.

What the work involves

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.

Main 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.

Description and tasks from the O*NET® 31.0 Database.

Getting in

Typical education to enter (BLS)

High school diploma or equivalent

Training once hired: short-term on-the-job training

O*NET Job Zone 1–2

Little to some preparation

Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Fields of study that lead here

From the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk, which links 2 programmes to this occupation. A link means the programme prepares people for this kind of work. It doesn't mean the programme is required, or that it's the only route.

Related careers

Related occupations from the O*NET database, in its order.

• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

  $47,380 median · +9.4% projected

• Animal Caretakers

  $35,360 median · +12.1% projected

• Medical Assistants

  $45,690 median · +12.9% projected

• Paramedics

  $60,600 median · +5.7% projected

• Surgical Assistants

  $66,800 median · +6.1% projected

• Emergency Medical Technicians

  $44,470 median · +5.8% projected