Rhode Island Median
$49,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+30% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#1 of 51
380 employed here
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in Rhode Island?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Rhode Island take home a median of $49,770 annually — roughly $23.93 an hour — which runs 30% above the national median of $38,150.
Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $35,510 while the top 10% make $50,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,440 and $49,930 a year.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,510 | $17.07 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,770 | $23.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,930 | $24.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,130 | $24.10 |
|
How Rhode Island compares
Rhode Island ranks 1st 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
District 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 $35,680Oklahoma $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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island pay ($49,770) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Rhode Island is $49,770 per year, or about $23.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,510 at the entry level to $50,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 30% more than the national median of $38,150. Rhode Island ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,770 a year. About 380 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.