California Median
$46,260
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#4 of 51
16,080 employed here
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in California?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in California take home a median of $46,260 annually — roughly $22.24 an hour — which runs 21% above the national median of $38,150.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,800 while the top 10% make $57,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,760 and $49,290 a year.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,800 | $18.17 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,760 | $19.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,260 | $22.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,290 | $23.70 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,940 | $27.86 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in other states
Rhode Island $49,770District of Columbia $49,080Massachusetts $46,670New Jersey $46,160Maine $45,510Minnesota $45,280Maryland $44,770New York $44,750Oregon $44,370Connecticut $44,250Washington $44,150Hawaii $44,070Colorado $38,900Delaware $38,610Montana $38,340Arizona $38,250Michigan $37,960Wyoming $37,880Florida $37,830Utah $37,560Idaho $37,530New Mexico $37,500Illinois $37,480Virginia $37,450Vermont $37,290North Dakota $37,160Pennsylvania $37,140North Carolina $37,070South Carolina $36,980Nevada $36,920New Hampshire $36,910Wisconsin $36,850Missouri $36,660Alaska $36,490Indiana $36,420Ohio $36,340Tennessee $36,320Nebraska $36,100Georgia $35,850Alabama $35,800Iowa $35,720Kansas $35,680Oklahoma $34,850Texas $34,850South Dakota $34,700Arkansas $34,570Kentucky $34,140West Virginia $32,350Louisiana $30,480Mississippi $30,360
Working as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in California
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 California pay ($46,260) 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 California?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in California is $46,260 per year, or about $22.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,800 at the entry level to $57,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 21% more than the national median of $38,150. California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,260 a year. About 16,080 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary report
Related salaries
$37,640
median pay · 32,000 employed
$45,750
median pay · 472,000 employed
$48,430
median pay · 110,000 employed
$48,070
median pay · 388,000 employed
$45,130
median pay · 157,000 employed
$40,410
median pay · 42,000 employed
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.