Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers · Tennessee

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Tennessee

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $36,320 —4.8% below the national median of $38,150. That ranks TN #38 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$36,320
Median hourly
$17.46
Entry level (P10)
$30,230
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$43,700
90th percentile
Employment
3,530
1.1 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-4.8%
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
$30,230
$34,520
$36,320
$38,230
$30,230$36,320$43,700
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $36,320.

Employment is 1.32× as concentrated as the national average, making Tennessee a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.

OccupationTennessee medianU.S. median
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$32,130$35,800
Nursing Assistants$37,990$42,260
Medical Assistants$39,570$45,690
Dental Assistants$46,720$48,070
Phlebotomists$38,550$45,230
Physical Therapist Assistants$62,500$68,380

Frequently asked questions

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

The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Tennessee is $36,320, or $17.46 per hour. That is 4.8% below the national median of $38,150.

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

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $30,230 per year ($14.54/hour). The 25th percentile is $34,520.

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

About 3,530 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 1.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

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

Tennessee ranks #38 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.32x as concentrated as the national average, making Tennessee 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