Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Arizona (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Arizona, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arizona Median
$38,250
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.39
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#17 of 51
3,340 employed here

How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in Arizona?

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Arizona take home a median of $38,250 annually — roughly $18.39 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $38,150.

Within Arizona, entry-level pay starts around $35,530 while the top 10% make $47,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,010 and $45,900 a year.

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in Arizona

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,530$17.08
25th percentile (early career)$37,010$17.79
50th percentile (median)$38,250$18.39
75th percentile (experienced)$45,900$22.07
90th percentile (top earners)$47,460$22.82

How Arizona compares

Arizona ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Rhode Island$49,770
2District of Columbia$49,080
3Massachusetts$46,670
4California$46,260
5New Jersey$46,160

Working as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Arizona

Nationally, about 127,000 people work as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare Arizona pay ($38,250) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in Arizona?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Arizona is $38,250 per year, or about $18.39 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,530 at the entry level to $47,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arizona pay compare to the national average?
Arizona pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 0% more than the national median of $38,150. Arizona ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arizona a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Yes on pay — Arizona pays above the national median for this occupation, at $38,250 a year. About 3,340 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in Arizona. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arizona?
The highest-paying occupations in Arizona include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($558,970), Radiologist ($470,640), Surgeon, All Other ($415,980), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.