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
Most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the occupation on the job. PayThe median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers was $38,150 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers with similar occupations. 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.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers was $38,150 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers with similar occupations. 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.
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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers with similar occupations. 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.
What They Do
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers handle routine animal care and help scientists, veterinarians, and others with their daily tasks.
Work Environment
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work mainly in clinics, animal hospitals, and research laboratories. Their work may be physically and emotionally demanding.
How to Become a Veterinary Assistant or Laboratory Animal Caretaker
Most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the occupation on the job.
Pay
The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers was $38,150 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers with similar occupations.
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.
Work Environment
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work mainly in clinics, animal hospitals, and research laboratories. Their work may be physically and emotionally demanding.
How to Become a Veterinary Assistant or Laboratory Animal Caretaker
Most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the occupation on the job.
Pay
The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers was $38,150 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers with similar occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers with similar occupations.
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.
More Information
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
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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.