Veterinary Assistant Salary Overview
The average salary for a veterinary assistant in the United States is approximately $10,469 per year, with wages typically starting from around $8,202 and going up to $13,362. This positions veterinary assistants as earning 84% below the national average for all occupations.
Salary Breakdown by Percentile
- 90th Percentile: Top-level veterinary assistants earn about $13,362 per year (approximately $6.42 per hour).
- 75th Percentile: Senior-level veterinary assistants earn around $11,903 per year (about $5.72 per hour).
- 50th Percentile (Median): Mid-level veterinary assistants earn approximately $10,469 per year (around $5.03 per hour).
- 25th Percentile: Junior-level veterinary assistants earn about $9,207 per year (around $4.43 per hour).
- 10th Percentile: Starting-level veterinary assistants earn approximately $8,202 per year (about $3.94 per hour).
Veterinary Assistant Salary by State
Here are the average salaries for veterinary assistants by state:
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Maine | $37,410 |
| Massachusetts | $37,360 |
| District of Columbia | $37,090 |
| Rhode Island | $36,910 |
| Washington | $36,580 |
| Alaska | $36,460 |
| California | $36,310 |
| Hawaii | $36,270 |
| Maryland | $36,170 |
| New York | $36,140 |
| Minnesota | $35,640 |
| New Jersey | $33,340 |
| Oregon | $31,310 |
| Colorado | $30,400 |
| New Hampshire | $30,120 |
| Delaware | $30,090 |
| South Carolina | $30,060 |
| Illinois | $29,890 |
| Connecticut | $29,830 |
| Arizona | $29,780 |
| Michigan | $29,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,620 |
| Wyoming | $29,620 |
| Ohio | $29,590 |
| North Carolina | $29,530 |
| Iowa | $29,440 |
| Virginia | $29,400 |
| Vermont | $29,220 |
| Missouri | $29,170 |
| Tennessee | $29,160 |
| Nevada | $29,150 |
| Nebraska | $29,130 |
| Indiana | $28,900 |
| Montana | $28,900 |
| North Dakota | $28,890 |
| Wisconsin | $28,890 |
| Georgia | $28,820 |
| Florida | $28,680 |
| Oklahoma | $28,580 |
| New Mexico | $28,540 |
| South Dakota | $28,520 |
| Arkansas | $28,350 |
| Utah | $28,340 |
| Alabama | $28,080 |
| Texas | $28,060 |
| Idaho | $27,610 |
| Kentucky | $24,860 |
| Louisiana | $24,180 |
| Kansas | $24,120 |
| West Virginia | $23,390 |
| Mississippi | $23,260 |
| Puerto Rico | $18,260 |
Comparison with Similar Careers
Veterinary assistants earn approximately 9% more than similar careers. Here’s how their salaries compare:
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Phlebotomist | $16,000 |
| Kennel Technician | $12,000 |
| Farmer | $6,000 |
| Animal Control Worker | $11,000 |
| Surgical Assistant | $11,000 |
| Veterinary Assistant | $10,000 |
| Dog Walker | $2,000 |
| Animal Caretaker | $3,000 |
Overall, while the salary for veterinary assistants is relatively low compared to some other professions, the role is crucial in the veterinary field and provides opportunities for growth and specialization.
Information provided by CareerOnlines, LLC and other sources.
Sections of this page includes information from the O*NET 29.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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