Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$37,320
~$18/hr · ~$3,110/mo
US Jobs
118K
Much faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
2/10
Safe
AI & Automation Risk
Safe 2/10
The core duties of this occupation are almost entirely physical and manual, involving the handling, feeding, and restraining of live animals in unpredictable environments. While AI might assist with peripheral administrative tasks or diagnostic data entry, it cannot replace the physical presence and manual dexterity required for animal care, sterilization, and surgical assistance.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven, CTBEST VALUE | $57,320 | Above avg (105.4) | $54,405 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $48,010 | Average (101.5) | $47,295 |
| Bangor, ME | $43,660 | Below avg (92.3) | $47,281 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $47,460 | Above avg (107.2) | $44,275 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $46,920 | Above avg (106.5) | $44,061 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $41,960 | Below avg (96.0) | $43,707 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $38,100 | Below avg (87.2) | $43,702 |
| Worcester, MA | $44,860 | Average (103.0) | $43,561 |
| Boulder, CO | $43,470 | Average (100.6) | $43,205 |
| Bend, OR | $45,100 | Above avg (105.3) | $42,840 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $46,620 | Above avg (109.1) | $42,735 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $44,390 | Above avg (104.4) | $42,538 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $43,940 | Above avg (104.3) | $42,128 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $44,600 | Above avg (105.9) | $42,119 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $42,890 | Average (101.9) | $42,087 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
10-Year Growth
+9% (Much faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$18/hr
Monthly Income
~$3,110/mo
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Search Jobs →Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)