Washington Median
$44,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#12 of 51
4,380 employed here
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in Washington?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Washington take home a median of $44,150 annually — roughly $21.23 an hour — which runs 16% above the national median of $38,150.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $38,470 while the top 10% make $55,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,930 and $47,220 a year.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,470 | $18.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,930 | $19.20 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,150 | $21.23 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $47,220 | $22.70 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,050 | $26.47 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 12th 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 $44,250Hawaii $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($44,150) 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 Washington?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Washington is $44,150 per year, or about $21.23 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,470 at the entry level to $55,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 16% more than the national median of $38,150. Washington ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,150 a year. About 4,380 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.