Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Veterinary Assistant or Laboratory Animal Caretaker Veterinary assistants learn through on-the-job
Education
Most workers entering the occupation have a high school diploma or equivalent. Training Most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers receive short-term on-the-job training.
Training
. Most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the occupation on the job. Experience working with or being around animals may be helpful for jobseekers.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Although certification is not mandatory, it allows workers to demonstrate competency in animal husbandry, health and welfare, and facility administration. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 23,200 openings for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Increases in consumers’ pet-related spending are expected to drive employment in the veterinary services industry, which employs most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers. In clinics and other veterinary service establishments, assistants help veterinarians and veterinary technicians and technologists with various procedures. Demand for veterinary assistants is projected to be strong as the demand for these procedures increases. Also, laboratory animals will continue to be needed as part of the scientific research process to help ensure the safety and efficacy of new medical, surgical, and pharmacological techniques. This is expected to create demand for laboratory animal caretakers. Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Other healthcare support occupations 10% Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers 9% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Do
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers handle routine animal care and help scientists, veterinarians, and veterinary technologists and technicians with their daily tasks.
Duties
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers typically do the following:
- Feed, bathe, and exercise animals
- Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, and examination and operating rooms
- Restrain animals during examination and laboratory procedures
- Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment
- Monitor and care for animals after surgery
- Help provide emergency first aid to sick and injured animals
- Give medication or immunizations that veterinarians prescribe
- Assist in collecting blood, urine, and tissue samples
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers also provide nursing care before surgery and other medical procedures.
They may prepare equipment and pass surgical instruments and materials to veterinarians during surgery. They also move animals during testing and other procedures.
Veterinary assistants typically help veterinarians and veterinary technologists and technicians treat injuries and illnesses of animals.
Laboratory animal caretakers’ daily tasks include feeding animals, cleaning kennels, and monitoring animals.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers held about 132,100 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers were as follows:
| Veterinary services | 86% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 5 |
| Scientific research and development services | 1 |
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work primarily in clinics and animal hospitals, colleges and universities, and research laboratories.
The work of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers may be physically and emotionally demanding. Workers may handle sick or abused animals and may assist in euthanizing animals.
Injuries and Illnesses
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. When working with scared and aggressive animals, workers may be bitten, scratched, or kicked. Workers may also be injured while holding, bathing, or restraining an animal.
Work Schedules
Some veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work part time. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers may work nights, weekends, or holidays.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers communicate with pet owners, veterinarians, veterinary technologists and technicians, and other assistants. They need to be able to explain instructions, procedures, and other information clearly and effectively. Compassion. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers must treat animals with kindness and show compassion to both the animals and their owners. Detail oriented. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers must follow instructions exactly as directed. For example, they must be precise when sterilizing surgical equipment, monitoring animals, and giving medication. Manual dexterity. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers must be adept in both handling animals and using medical instruments and laboratory equipment. Physical strength. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers must be strong enough to handle, move, and restrain animals.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.