Iowa Median
$35,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#42 of 51
1,380 employed here
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in Iowa?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Iowa take home a median of $35,720 annually — roughly $17.17 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $38,150.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $29,440 while the top 10% make $47,220 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,590 and $39,020 a year.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,440 | $14.15 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $30,590 | $14.71 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,720 | $17.17 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $39,020 | $18.76 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,220 | $22.70 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 42nd 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 $46,670California $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 $35,800Kansas $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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($35,720) 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 Iowa?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Iowa is $35,720 per year, or about $17.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,440 at the entry level to $47,220 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 6% less than the national median of $38,150. Iowa ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,720 a year. About 1,380 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.