How Much Does a Vet Assistant Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$38,150
Vet assistants in the U.S. earn a median of $38,150 a year, or $18.34 an hour. Half of vet assistants earn more than $38,150 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $49,150.
Pay percentiles for vet assistants
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $14.48 | $30,120 |
| 25th | $17.15 | $35,660 |
| 50th (median) | $18.34 | $38,150 |
| 75th | $21.98 | $45,710 |
| 90th | $23.63 | $49,150 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (SOC 31-9096). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for vet assistants
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $49,770 | $23.93 | +30% |
| District of Columbia | $49,080 | $23.60 | +29% |
| Massachusetts | $46,670 | $22.44 | +22% |
| California | $46,260 | $22.24 | +21% |
| New Jersey | $46,160 | $22.19 | +21% |
| Maine | $45,510 | $21.88 | +19% |
| Minnesota | $45,280 | $21.77 | +19% |
| Maryland | $44,770 | $21.52 | +17% |
| New York | $44,750 | $21.52 | +17% |
| Oregon | $44,370 | $21.33 | +16% |
| United States | $38,150 | $18.34 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many vet assistants are there?
BLS counts about 126,580 vet assistants employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers”. The most jobs are in California (16,080), Texas (8,440) and North Carolina (6,910).
The mean (average) annual wage is $40,340, higher than the median of $38,150.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,179
- Biweekly
- $1,467
- Weekly
- $734
- Daily (8 hours)
- $147
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do vet assistants make an hour?
The median hourly wage for vet assistants is $18.34. The middle 50% earn between $17.15 and $21.98 an hour.
Which state pays vet assistants the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median wage for vet assistants at $49,770, +30% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for vet assistants?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of vet assistants earn less than $30,120 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.