South Carolina Median
$36,980
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#30 of 51
1,720 employed here
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in South Carolina?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $36,980 per year, or about $17.78 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $38,150 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $27,390 while the top 10% make $48,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,530 and $40,600 a year.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,390 | $13.17 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $30,530 | $14.68 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,980 | $17.78 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $40,600 | $19.52 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,630 | $23.38 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 30th 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 $37,070Nevada $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 South Carolina
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 South Carolina pay ($36,980) 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 South Carolina?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in South Carolina is $36,980 per year, or about $17.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,390 at the entry level to $48,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 3% less than the national median of $38,150. South Carolina ranks 30th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,980 a year. About 1,720 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.