Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in New York (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$44,750
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#9 of 51
5,790 employed here

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

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers working in New York earn a median salary of $44,750 per year, or about $21.51 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $38,150 for this occupation.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $36,450 while the top 10% make $53,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,610 and $46,560 a year.

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,450$17.52
25th percentile (early career)$38,610$18.56
50th percentile (median)$44,750$21.51
75th percentile (experienced)$46,560$22.38
90th percentile (top earners)$53,460$25.70

How New York compares

New York ranks 9th 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 New York

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 New York pay ($44,750) 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 New York?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in New York is $44,750 per year, or about $21.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,450 at the entry level to $53,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 17% more than the national median of $38,150. New York ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,750 a year. About 5,790 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.