District of Columbia Median
$49,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.60
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+29% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#2 of 51
240 employed here
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in District of Columbia?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in District of Columbia take home a median of $49,080 annually — roughly $23.60 an hour — which runs 29% above the national median of $38,150.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $46,570 while the top 10% make $72,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,960 and $60,700 a year.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,570 | $22.39 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,960 | $22.58 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,080 | $23.60 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $60,700 | $29.18 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,840 | $35.02 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 2nd 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 $49,770Massachusetts $46,670California $46,260New 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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($49,080) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in District of Columbia is $49,080 per year, or about $23.60 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,570 at the entry level to $72,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 29% more than the national median of $38,150. District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,080 a year. About 240 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.