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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Mississippi Median
$30,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.60
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#51 of 51
560 employed here

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

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers working in Mississippi earn a median salary of $30,360 per year, or about $14.60 per hour. That is 20% below the national median of $38,150 for this occupation.

Within Mississippi, entry-level pay starts around $26,060 while the top 10% make $45,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,880 and $36,840 a year.

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in Mississippi

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$26,060$12.53
25th percentile (early career)$27,880$13.40
50th percentile (median)$30,360$14.60
75th percentile (experienced)$36,840$17.71
90th percentile (top earners)$45,440$21.85

How Mississippi compares

Mississippi ranks 51st 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 Mississippi

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 Mississippi pay ($30,360) 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 Mississippi?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Mississippi is $30,360 per year, or about $14.60 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,060 at the entry level to $45,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Mississippi pay compare to the national average?
Mississippi pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 20% less than the national median of $38,150. Mississippi ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Mississippi a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,360 a year. About 560 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in Mississippi. 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 Mississippi?
The highest-paying occupations in Mississippi include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($544,130), General Internal Medicine Physician ($325,610), Physician, Pathologists ($261,570), 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.