Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $34,580 -7.3% vs national
Median hourly $16.63
10th percentile $28,340
90th percentile $44,170
Employed locally 70
National median $37,320

Compare Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,340
    25th
    $29,270
    50th (median)
    $34,580
    75th
    $44,170
    90th
    $44,170

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 49% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 51% 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
    California $45,470
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $45,470
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $45,240
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $43,910
    District of Columbia $43,580
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $43,430

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$39,220
    Nursing Assistants$39,110
    Medical Assistants$44,820
    Dental Assistants$47,530
    Phlebotomists$36,850
    Physical Therapist Assistants$57,160

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Ames, IA is $16.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.31 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Ames, IA is 7.3% 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 Ames?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $28,340 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,270.