Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Bakersfield, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bakersfield-Delano, CA

Median annual salary $37,880 +1.5% vs national
Median hourly $18.21
10th percentile $35,220
90th percentile $46,280
Employed locally 170
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
Bakersfield, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,220
    25th
    $36,040
    50th (median)
    $37,880
    75th
    $44,990
    90th
    $46,280

    Bakersfield economic context

    Unemployment rate 8.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,660 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 56% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 44% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $47,040
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,950
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $46,620
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $46,280
    Salinas, CA $45,740
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $45,560

    Related occupations in Bakersfield, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$33,430
    Medical Assistants$45,240
    Nursing Assistants$43,570
    Dental Assistants$47,330
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$44,830
    Phlebotomists$46,660

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Bakersfield, CA is $18.21, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.91 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Bakersfield, CA is 1.5% above 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 Bakersfield?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $35,220 per year in Bakersfield, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,040.