Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers fall under the Healthcare Support category in the U.S. occupational classification. Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers earn a median salary of $37,320 per year, ranking in the top 91% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +8.7% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers earn?

The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $37,320. That puts veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers at #736 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is +8.7%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 117K positions in 2024 to 128K in 2034, a net change of 11K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.

What do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
2. 2.Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.
3. 3.Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems.
4. 4.Perform accounting duties, such as bookkeeping, billing customers for services, or maintaining inventories.
5. 5.Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
6. 6.Fill medication prescriptions.
7. 7.Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.
8. 8.Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.

Top skills for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker?

Entry into veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, often coupled with state licensing exams or clinical hours. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Occupational Therapy Assistants
  $68,340 median
• Physical Therapist Assistants
  $65,510 median
• Massage Therapists
  $57,950 median
• Dental Assistants
  $47,300 median
• Medical Equipment Preparers
  $46,490 median
• Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
  $46,050 median

Common questions parents ask about veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers