Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $36,720 -1.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.65
10th percentile $28,910
90th percentile $47,690
Employed locally 380
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
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,910
    25th
    $30,960
    50th (median)
    $36,720
    75th
    $38,580
    90th
    $47,690

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 45% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 55% 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
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $41,960
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $39,300
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $37,090
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $36,840
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $36,630

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $30,900
    Nursing Assistants $38,720
    Medical Assistants $40,830
    Dental Assistants $46,850
    Orderlies $38,950
    Phlebotomists $39,740

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Charleston, SC is $17.65, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.83 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Charleston, SC is 1.6% 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 Charleston?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $28,910 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,960.