Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers · Michigan

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Michigan

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Michigan earn a median annual wage of $37,960 —0.5% below the national median of $38,150. That ranks MI #18 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$37,960
Median hourly
$18.25
Entry level (P10)
$30,410
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$46,730
90th percentile
Employment
4,420
1.0 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-0.5%
U.S. $38,150

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$30,410
$35,720
$37,960
$43,930
$30,410$37,960$46,730
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $37,960.

Employment is 1.23× as concentrated as the national average, making Michigan a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Michigan is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Rhode Island$49,770$23.933800.93
2District of Columbia$49,080$23.602400.41
3Massachusetts$46,670$22.442,1300.72
4California$46,260$22.2416,0801.08
5New Jersey$46,160$22.193,2700.94
6Maine$45,510$21.886901.32
7Minnesota$45,280$21.771,4500.60
8Maryland$44,770$21.522,2200.99
9New York$44,750$21.525,7900.73
10Oregon$44,370$21.333,1701.98

Related occupations in Michigan

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Michigan.

OccupationMichigan medianU.S. median
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$35,000$35,800
Nursing Assistants$39,570$42,260
Medical Assistants$39,870$45,690
Dental Assistants$48,820$48,070
Phlebotomists$39,860$45,230
Physical Therapist Assistants$61,670$68,380

Frequently asked questions

How much do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers make in Michigan?

The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Michigan is $37,960, or $18.25 per hour. That is 0.5% below the national median of $38,150.

What is the entry-level veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers salary in Michigan?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $30,410 per year ($14.62/hour). The 25th percentile is $35,720.

How many people work as veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Michigan?

About 4,420 people work in this occupation in Michigan, or 1.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Michigan a good state for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers?

Michigan ranks #18 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.23x as concentrated as the national average, making Michigan a strong market for this occupation.

Which state pays veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers the most?

Rhode Island has the highest median wage at $49,770 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($49,080) and Massachusetts ($46,670).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes