Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers · North Carolina

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in North Carolina

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $37,070 —2.8% below the national median of $38,150. That ranks NC #29 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$37,070
Median hourly
$17.82
Entry level (P10)
$28,830
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$46,470
90th percentile
Employment
6,910
1.4 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-2.8%
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
$28,830
$35,250
$37,070
$39,080
$28,830$37,070$46,470
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $37,070.

Employment is 1.72× as concentrated as the national average, making North Carolina a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina 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 North Carolina

Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.

OccupationNorth Carolina medianU.S. median
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$31,240$35,800
Nursing Assistants$38,460$42,260
Medical Assistants$45,140$45,690
Dental Assistants$50,380$48,070
Phlebotomists$43,330$45,230
Physical Therapist Assistants$67,540$68,380

Frequently asked questions

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

The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in North Carolina is $37,070, or $17.82 per hour. That is 2.8% below the national median of $38,150.

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

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $28,830 per year ($13.86/hour). The 25th percentile is $35,250.

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

About 6,910 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 1.4 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

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

North Carolina ranks #29 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.72x as concentrated as the national average, making North Carolina 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