Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers · Washington

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Washington

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Washington earn a median annual wage of $44,150 —15.7% above the national median of $38,150. That ranks WA #12 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$44,150
Median hourly
$21.23
Entry level (P10)
$38,470
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$55,050
90th percentile
Employment
4,380
1.2 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+15.7%
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
$38,470
$39,930
$44,150
$47,220
$38,470$44,150$55,050
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $44,150.

Employment is 1.51× as concentrated as the national average, making Washington a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Washington 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 Washington

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Washington.

OccupationWashington medianU.S. median
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$47,730$35,800
Nursing Assistants$49,180$42,260
Medical Assistants$59,290$45,690
Dental Assistants$58,090$48,070
Phlebotomists$48,880$45,230
Physical Therapist Assistants$66,450$68,380

Frequently asked questions

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

The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Washington is $44,150, or $21.23 per hour. That is 15.7% above the national median of $38,150.

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

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $38,470 per year ($18.50/hour). The 25th percentile is $39,930.

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

About 4,380 people work in this occupation in Washington, or 1.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

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

Washington ranks #12 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.51x as concentrated as the national average, making Washington 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