EN

Occupation · SOC 31-9096

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

There are 126,580 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $38,150 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Healthcare SupportTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
126,580
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$38,150
Median pay a year
Middle half: $35,660–$45,710
23,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +9.1%
1
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
One employer filed 100% of them

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 283 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $46,160 · LCA filings 05,560$46,1600
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $46,070 · LCA filings 04,830$46,0700
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $36,110 · LCA filings 02,880$36,1100
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $45,320 · LCA filings 02,740$45,3200
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $45,640 · LCA filings 02,400$45,6400
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $38,710 · LCA filings 02,390$38,7100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $36,040 · LCA filings 02,350$36,0400
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $39,280 · LCA filings 02,190$39,2800
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $39,840 · LCA filings 02,150$39,8400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $49,400 · LCA filings 02,150$49,4000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 2,150 · LCA filings 0$49,4002,1500
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 620 · LCA filings 0$49,2106200
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$49,200600
Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CAEmployment 350 · LCA filings 0$47,2703500
Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CAEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$47,1502000

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 1,970111,970

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $43,430 · Level III $46,862 · Level IV $50,274$40,019$43,430$46,862$50,274
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $42,661 · Level III $46,488 · Level IV $50,336$38,813$42,661$46,488$50,336
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $34,632 · Level III $37,378 · Level IV $40,123$31,886$34,632$37,378$40,123
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $41,725 · Level III $46,030 · Level IV $50,315$37,440$41,725$46,030$50,315
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $44,678 · Level III $47,070 · Level IV $49,442$42,307$44,678$47,070$49,442
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $39,374 · Level III $41,662 · Level IV $43,971$37,066$39,374$41,662$43,971
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $33,072 · Level III $37,752 · Level IV $42,453$28,371$33,072$37,752$42,453
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $37,586 · Level III $40,539 · Level IV $43,472$34,653$37,586$40,539$43,472
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $38,917 · Level III $42,494 · Level IV $46,072$35,339$38,917$42,494$46,072
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $48,048 · Level III $52,083 · Level IV $56,118$44,013$48,048$52,083$56,118
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $42,931 · Level III $46,488 · Level IV $50,066$39,354$42,931$46,488$50,066

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/TechniciansCIP 01.83OPT · up to 12 months22OPT · up to 12 months

See Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in every metro area

All 283 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Healthcare Support

Home Health and Personal Care AidesNursing AssistantsMedical AssistantsDental AssistantsMassage TherapistsPhysical Therapist AssistantsPhlebotomistsHealthcare Support Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology