Oklahoma Median
$34,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#44 of 51
1,740 employed here
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in Oklahoma?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Oklahoma take home a median of $34,850 annually — roughly $16.75 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $38,150.
Within Oklahoma, entry-level pay starts around $23,170 while the top 10% make $46,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,810 and $36,380 a year.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in Oklahoma
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,170 | $11.14 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,810 | $14.33 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,850 | $16.75 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $36,380 | $17.49 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,810 | $22.50 |
|
How Oklahoma compares
Oklahoma ranks 44th 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 $35,800Iowa $35,720Kansas $35,680Texas $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 Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma pay ($34,850) 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 Oklahoma?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Oklahoma is $34,850 per year, or about $16.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,170 at the entry level to $46,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Oklahoma pay compare to the national average?
Oklahoma pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 9% less than the national median of $38,150. Oklahoma ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Oklahoma a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,850 a year. About 1,740 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma?
The highest-paying occupations in Oklahoma include Surgeon, All Other ($553,790), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($530,070), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($370,260), 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.