West Virginia Median
$32,350
per year
Hourly Rate
$15.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#49 of 51
730 employed here
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in West Virginia?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in West Virginia take home a median of $32,350 annually — roughly $15.55 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $38,150.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $25,830 while the top 10% make $38,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,250 and $35,740 a year.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,830 | $12.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,250 | $13.58 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $32,350 | $15.55 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $35,740 | $17.18 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,040 | $18.29 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 49th 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 $35,680Oklahoma $34,850Texas $34,850South Dakota $34,700Arkansas $34,570Kentucky $34,140Louisiana $30,480Mississippi $30,360
Working as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($32,350) 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 West Virginia?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in West Virginia is $32,350 per year, or about $15.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $25,830 at the entry level to $38,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 15% less than the national median of $38,150. West Virginia ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $32,350 a year. About 730 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.