Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $38,470 +3.1% vs national
Median hourly $18.50
10th percentile $34,640
90th percentile $47,840
Employed locally 2,640
National median $37,320

Compare Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,640
    25th
    $36,050
    50th (median)
    $38,470
    75th
    $44,300
    90th
    $47,840

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 43% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 57% 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
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $47,460
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $46,620
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $45,560
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $44,190
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $41,960
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $39,550

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36,340
    Nursing Assistants$46,050
    Medical Assistants$46,740
    Dental Assistants$47,570
    Phlebotomists$48,000
    Massage Therapists$61,590

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Chicago, IL-IN is $18.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.67 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 3.1% 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $34,640 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,050.