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.
Overview
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$22,392
25th
$29,856
50th (Median)
$37,320
75th
$44,784
90th
$55,980
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
Job Market Intelligence
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:117,800
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
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
Top Skills
✓
Active Listening
Active Listening
✓
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
✓
Monitoring
Monitoring
✓
Writing
Writing
✓
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
✓
Service Orientation
Service Orientation
✓
Time Management
Time Management
✓
Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness
✓
Coordination
Coordination
✓
Speaking
Speaking
Key Knowledge Areas
✓
Customer and Personal Service
✓
English Language
✓
Biology
✓
Administrative
✓
Medicine and Dentistry
✓
Computers and Electronics
Education & Training
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience Required
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Job Training
Training of a few months to a year