Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Altoona, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Altoona, PA

Median annual salary $34,290 -8.1% vs national
Median hourly $16.49
10th percentile $29,400
90th percentile $38,000
Employed locally 30
National median $37,320

Compare Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
in
Altoona, PA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,400
    25th
    $29,710
    50th (median)
    $34,290
    75th
    $36,180
    90th
    $38,000

    Altoona economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 57% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 43% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area $58,120
    New Haven, CT $57,320
    Rhode Island $48,050
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $48,010
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $47,460
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $47,040

    Nearby metros — Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $45,280
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $43,940
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $43,350
    Grants Pass, OR $39,610
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $38,000
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $37,920

    Related occupations in Altoona, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $28,940
    Nursing Assistants $39,140
    Medical Assistants $37,690
    Dental Assistants $44,670
    Physical Therapist Assistants $59,460
    Phlebotomists $34,220

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make per hour in Altoona?

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Altoona, PA is $16.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.27 or more per hour.

    Is Altoona above or below average for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salaries?

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Altoona, PA is 8.1% below the national median of $37,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Altoona?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $29,400 per year in Altoona, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,710.