Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers earn a median of $38,150 per year ($18.34/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 9.1% through 2035, with about 23,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 31-9096
- Healthcare Support
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $38,150a year, or $18.34/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $30KTop 10% $49K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +9.1%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+9.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +9.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 23,200132,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025132.1K
- Projected 2035144.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 132.1K Projected 2035 144.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school6.4%
- High school78.2%
- Certificate10.9%
- Some college3.7%
- Associate's0.3%
- Post-bacc certificate0.5%
Highest education held by veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers Segment Value Less than high school 6.4% High school 78.2% Certificate 10.9% Some college 3.7% Associate's 0.3% Post-bacc certificate 0.5%
Also advertised as: Animal Care Provider, Animal Caregiver, Avian Keeper, Certified Veterinary Assistant, Emergency Veterinary Assistant, Inpatient Technician Assistant.
Pay
How much do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers make?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers earn a median of $38,150 a year ($18.34 an hour, or about $3,180 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $30,120 and the top 10% more than $49,150 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is Rhode Island, with a median of $49,770. See Veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker salary in Rhode Island and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Jose ($52,310 average): salary in every city. Choosing between jobs? Compare pay side by side in Vet Tech vs Vet Assistant.
Every veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$38,150
Middle half earn $35,660 to $45,710
- 10th
- $30,120
- 25th
- $35,660
- 75th
- $45,710
- 90th
- $49,150
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $30,120 |
| 25th | $35,660 |
| Median | $38,150 |
| 75th | $45,710 |
| 90th | $49,150 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $38,150
- Median hourly wage
- $18.34/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $40,340
- People employed
- 126,580
Versus all US occupations
At $38,150, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers earn 25% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $12,830 a year.
Versus healthcare support occupations
Inside the Healthcare Support group, where the middle occupation pays $42,260, this is 10% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $49,150 or more while the bottom 10% earn $30,120, a gap of 1.6×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 6% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Rhode Island pays the most at $49,770, and still leads at $48,661 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Rhode Island | $49,770 | $48,661 | 380 |
| 2District of Columbia | $49,080 | $44,658 | 240 |
| 3Massachusetts | $46,670 | $44,129 | 2,130 |
| 4California | $46,260 | $41,781 | 16,080 |
| 5New Jersey | $46,160 | $42,425 | 3,270 |
| 6Maine | $45,510 | $46,893 | 690 |
| 7Minnesota | $45,280 | $45,913 | 1,450 |
| 8Maryland | $44,770 | $42,655 | 2,220 |
| 9New York | $44,750 | $41,466 | 5,790 |
| 10Oregon | $44,370 | $42,927 | 3,170 |
Job outlook
Is veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +9.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | +9.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers to change 9.1% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.6× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 12,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 23,200 openings are projected each year, 17.6% of the 132,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
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.
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.
AI exposure: moderate
BLS places this occupation in its moderate relative AI exposure category, below the middle of the pack: some of the work overlaps with what AI can do, much of it does not.
Getting in
How to become a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker
No state licenses a veterinary assistant, which is the single most common point of confusion: veterinary technicians are a different occupation and are credentialed in 42 states, usually as an LVT, RVT or CVT, after passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination. For assistants and laboratory animal caretakers the credentials are voluntary: NAVTA's Approved Veterinary Assistant designation, and the AALAS ladder of ALAT, LAT and LATG for laboratory animal work. In research settings the legal duty to train sits on the facility, not the worker.
The credential path, step by step
- Start with a high school diploma and on-the-job training
BLS records that most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the occupation on the job. There is no licence to apply for and no examination you must pass to work.
- Know the difference between assistant and technician before you enrol anywhere
The AAVSB lists 51 regulated jurisdictions for veterinary technicians, covering 42 states, 6 provinces, 1 district and 2 territories, plus 8 further states with a voluntary credential (Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wyoming). Technicians typically hold an associate degree and pass the VTNE. Assistants do neither. BLS puts 2024 median pay at $37,320 for assistants and caretakers against $45,980 for technicians.
- Consider the NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant designation
Graduating from a NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program makes you eligible to sit the AVA examination, delivered through VetMedTeam on NAVTA's behalf and proctored by an exam mentor, who may be a veterinarian, a credentialed technician, a program instructor or a licensed testing centre. The fee is $100 per student. NAVTA reports over 65 approved programs across the United States and Canada.
- For laboratory animal work, climb the AALAS ladder
ALAT, LAT and LATG are certifications from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, sat in any order you are eligible for rather than in sequence. ALAT has no education requirement at all: two years of laboratory animal work experience qualifies on its own, one year with a high school diploma, or six months with an associate or bachelor's degree. LAT needs three years with a high school diploma, two with an associate degree, one with a bachelor's, or six months if you already hold ALAT. LATG needs five, four or three years respectively, or six months if you already hold LAT.
- Count the experience the way AALAS counts it
A work year is 1,950 hours and may be combined across facilities. Work must be directly related to the health and well-being of laboratory animals; purely administrative work does not qualify, and neither does volunteer work or classroom laboratory coursework. Externship, internship, preceptorship and fellowship hours in a laboratory animal facility count hour for hour. Veterinary clinics, zoos and pet stores are not laboratory animal facilities, but up to three years of that experience converts at six months of non-laboratory work per one month of laboratory work.
Exams you have to pass
Approved Veterinary Assistant examination (AVA)
Open to graduates of a NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program. Passing entitles the holder to use the AVA designation. The programme began in 2010 and NAVTA reports over 65 approved programs. The designation must be renewed every two years with at least 10 hours of veterinary continuing education; letting it lapse can mean retaking the exam.
Administered by NAVTA, delivered through VetMedTeam.
Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)
120 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, weighted 66 to 92 percent toward animal husbandry, health and welfare and 8 to 34 percent toward facility administration and management. AALAS does not publish passing scores because they vary by exam version; the 2023 first-attempt pass rate was 77 percent.
Administered by AALAS, delivered at Prometric test centres and by remote proctoring.
Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT)
155 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes. 2023 first-attempt pass rate 65 percent.
Administered by AALAS.
Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG)
180 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours, split evenly between animal husbandry, health and welfare and facility administration and management. 2023 first-attempt pass rate 59 percent.
Administered by AALAS.
- How long the training takes
There is no required programme. NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant programs vary by provider. The AALAS credentials are gated on documented work experience rather than on schooling, and AALAS counts a work year as 1,950 hours.
- Continuing education
Not required
AALAS certification itself is for life: once you pass, the credential is yours and there is no recertification requirement. Continuing education attaches instead to the voluntary Technician Certification Registry, which lets you prefix an R to the credential and is renewed every two years with 10 CEUs for ALAT, 14 for LAT and 24 for LATG. NAVTA's AVA designation does have to be renewed, every two years with at least 10 hours of veterinary continuing education.
- Program accreditation
9 CFR 2.32 · Animal Welfare Act regulations, personnel qualifications
This is the closest thing to a legal training standard in laboratory animal work, and it is aimed at the employer: the research facility is responsible for ensuring that all scientists, research technicians, animal technicians and other personnel involved in animal care are qualified, and must fulfil that in part by making training and instruction available. The required content includes humane methods of animal maintenance and experimentation, methods that limit animal use or minimize distress, proper use of anesthetics, analgesics and tranquilizers, how to report deficiencies in animal care (with an explicit protection against reprisal for reporting violations), and use of information services for finding alternatives. Because no individual credential is required, the voluntary AALAS ladder is what carries the signal.
- Program accreditation
PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
Applies to institutions holding an NIH assurance. It requires that personnel conducting procedures on the species being maintained or studied be appropriately qualified and trained in those procedures, and that the institution's assurance describe the training offered to scientists, animal technicians and other personnel involved in animal care, treatment or use. Compliance with the USDA regulations is an absolute requirement of the policy.
Licensing and state variation
Not a state license
No state licenses veterinary assistants or laboratory animal caretakers. The state-by-state variation that matters here is one occupation over: veterinary technicians are regulated in 42 states under titles that differ by state, such as RVT in California, LVT in New York and CVT in Wisconsin, and most regulated jurisdictions require a passing VTNE score. The AAVSB, which owns the VTNE, does not itself license, certify or register anyone; the jurisdiction does.
Who governs the credential
- National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
Approves veterinary assistant programs and awards the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) designation to graduates who pass its examination.
- American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
Awards the ALAT, LAT and LATG technician certifications and the separate Certified Manager of Animal Resources credential, and runs the voluntary Technician Certification Registry.
- American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB)
Owns and administers the Veterinary Technician National Examination and publishes the list of jurisdictions that regulate veterinary technicians. It does not license, certify or register anyone itself.
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Enforces the Animal Welfare Act regulations, which place the duty to train animal technicians and other animal care personnel on the research facility rather than requiring any individual credential.
Credential detail for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers · checked August 23, 2026
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians · checked August 23, 2026
- NAVTA: Veterinary Assistants Program (AVA designation and examination) · checked August 23, 2026
- NAVTA: Approved Veterinary Assistant program guidelines · checked August 23, 2026
- AALAS: Technician Certification (ALAT, LAT, LATG) · checked August 23, 2026
- AALAS Technician Certification Handbook, revised February 2026 · checked August 23, 2026
- AAVSB: Veterinary Technician Regulated and Non-regulated Jurisdictions, August 2026 · checked August 23, 2026
- AAVSB: Veterinary Technician National Exam · checked August 23, 2026
- eCFR: 9 CFR 2.32, Personnel qualifications (Animal Welfare Act regulations) · checked August 23, 2026
- NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare: PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
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.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)78.2%
- Post-Secondary Certificate10.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma6.4%
- Some College Courses3.7%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate0.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 78.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 10.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 6.4% |
| Some College Courses | 3.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker do?
Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers handle routine animal care and help scientists, veterinarians, and veterinary technologists and technicians with their daily tasks.
Day-to-day tasks
- Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
- Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
- Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses.
- Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
- Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
- Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.
- Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Some veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work part time. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers may work nights, weekends, or holidays.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Veterinary services86%
- Educational services; state, local, and private5%
- Scientific research and development services1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Veterinary services | 86% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 5% |
| Scientific research and development services | 1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.5
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Writing3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Active Learning2.9
- Mathematics2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Mathematics | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Instructing2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Management of Material Resources2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Management of Material Resources | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Label making software
- Medical software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker?
Women make up 81.9% of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation.
Only 3.2% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs): a young workforce, with 42.9% under 25.
The median worker is 27.4 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 81.9%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 27.4All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 3.2%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 63,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 81.9% | 47.1% |
| White | 93.2% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 4.4% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.6% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 3.2% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 42.9% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.3
- Investigative4.3
- Conventional4.0
- Social3.5
- Artistic1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker
Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker compared with
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Personal Care and Service
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare support careers
Median annual pay, with veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers highlighted
- Occupational Therapy Assistant$72,300
- Physical Therapist Assistant$68,380
- Massage Therapist$58,450
- Dental Assistant$48,070
- Medical Assistant$45,690
- Phlebotomist$45,230
- Nursing Assistant$42,260
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$38,150
- Home Health Aide$35,800
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,300 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,380 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $38,150 |
| Home Health Aide | $35,800 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker appears on
Questions
Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker: frequently asked questions
How much do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers make?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers earn a median of $38,150 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 25% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $18.34/hr. The middle half earn between $35,660 and $45,710. The top 10% earn $49,150 or more.
How much do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $18.34 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $38,150 annual median works out to about $3,180 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers earn less than $30,120 a year and the bottom quarter less than $35,660 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Which states pay veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers the most?
The highest state medians for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are Rhode Island ($49,770), District of Columbia ($49,080), Massachusetts ($46,670) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker earns the most?
BLS does not split veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $49,150, against a median of $38,150 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are Rhode Island ($49,770), District of Columbia ($49,080), Massachusetts ($46,670).
Do you need a degree to become a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 78.2% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 9.1% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 23,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker do?
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers handle routine animal care and help scientists, veterinarians, and veterinary technologists and technicians with their daily tasks. A core O*NET task: hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work 40 hours a week?
Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 7% of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers usually work more than 40 hours a week, 60% work exactly 40 and 33% work fewer. 82% say their schedule is regular and 19% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker?
O*NET scores Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
How long does it take to become a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker?
There is no required programme. NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant programs vary by provider. The AALAS credentials are gated on documented work experience rather than on schooling, and AALAS counts a work year as 1,950 hours.
Do you need a license to work as a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker?
Not a state license. No state licenses veterinary assistants or laboratory animal caretakers. The state-by-state variation that matters here is one occupation over: veterinary technicians are regulated in 42 states under titles that differ by state, such as RVT in California, LVT in New York and CVT in Wisconsin, and most regulated jurisdictions require a passing VTNE score. The AAVSB, which owns the VTNE, does not itself license, certify or register anyone; the jurisdiction does.
What exams and certifications apply to a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker?
The AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant examination), the ALAT (Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician), the LAT (Laboratory Animal Technician), the LATG (Laboratory Animal Technologist). Open to graduates of a NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program. Passing entitles the holder to use the AVA designation. The programme began in 2010 and NAVTA reports over 65 approved programs. The designation must be renewed every two years with at least 10 hours of veterinary continuing education; letting it lapse can mean retaking the exam.
What percentage of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are women?
Women make up 81.9% of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation. Only 3.2% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs): a young workforce, with 42.9% under 25. The median worker is 27.4 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.