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.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
SOC: 31-9096 O*NET: 31-9096.00
Median Salary
$37,320
per year
Job Growth
🚀 8.7%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
22.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$29,160
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,320
25th percentile
Median
$37,320
50th percentile
Experienced
$44,550
75th percentile
Top Earners
$48,150
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$29,160
25th
$34,320
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$37,320
Mean: $38,990
75th
$44,550
90th
$48,150
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $18,990 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,320 and $44,550
- •Salary spread is 27.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 114,190 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:117,800
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services90.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services90.5%
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services89.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+8.7%
Annual Openings:22,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)117,800
Current
2034 (Projected)128,100
+8.7%
+10,300
Employment Change
+8.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
14,960 jobs$45,4701.12x
Texas
8,040 jobs$30,4300.78x
Florida
7,060 jobs$37,2000.97x
New York
5,680 jobs$43,1500.80x
North Carolina
5,190 jobs$36,6801.43x
Virginia
4,880 jobs$36,5001.62x
Washington
4,720 jobs$43,5901.80x
Pennsylvania
4,390 jobs$36,4800.98x
Ohio
4,190 jobs$34,8201.02x
Michigan
4,040 jobs$36,5501.24x
Illinois
3,790 jobs$37,3100.84x
Georgia
3,280 jobs$34,9800.91x
Colorado
2,950 jobs$39,4801.38x
Oregon
2,670 jobs$42,8301.84x
Indiana
2,670 jobs$35,2701.13x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Service Orientation
66%
#7
Time Management
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.3
66%
Time Management
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Counter and Rental Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants100%
5 shared skills
File Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Office Clerks, General90%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Time Management
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Writing
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (6)Training & Development (1)Planning & Development (1)Operations & Execution (2)
1
Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development82% perform88%
8
Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Fill medication prescriptions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.66
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.53
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.47
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.43
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.36
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.33
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.7
Integrity
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Self-Control
4.4
Cooperation
4.4
Persistence
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Concern for Others
4.2
Achievement/Effort
4.1
Initiative
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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