Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
SOC 31-9096 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers is $36,440, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $37,310, and an estimated 115,770 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +21.8% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +3.4% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 8.7% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $36,440 | $36,440 | 115,770 |
| 2022 | $34,740 | $36,170 | 111,880 |
| 2021 | $29,780 | $33,487 | 98,970 |
| 2020 | $29,930 | $35,237 | 98,810 |
Nominal change
+21.8%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+3.4%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+8.7%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
117,800
Projected 2034
128,100
Annual Openings
22,200
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $36,440. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $47,890 | +31.4% | 200 |
| Maine | $47,490 | +30.3% | 800 |
| Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $47,490 | +30.3% | 300 |
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $46,820 | +28.5% | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $46,040 | +26.3% | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $44,450 | +22% | 1,780 |
| Washington | $43,010 | +18% | 4,270 |
| Maryland nonmetropolitan area | $42,720 | +17.2% | 30 |
| California | $40,190 | +10.3% | 16,300 |
| Delaware | $39,570 | +8.6% | 80 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$28,550
25th Pct
$31,120
Median
$36,440
75th Pct
$42,290
90th Pct
$46,630
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