Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $35,190 -5.7% vs national
Median hourly $16.92
10th percentile $29,510
90th percentile $38,740
Employed locally 130
National median $37,320

Compare Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
in
Columbia, MO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,510
    25th
    $30,500
    50th (median)
    $35,190
    75th
    $36,260
    90th
    $38,740

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 51% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 49% 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
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $45,470
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $45,240
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $44,600
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $40,350
    Modesto, CA $38,410

    Related occupations in Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $36,300
    Nursing Assistants $40,120
    Medical Assistants $37,590
    Dental Assistants $44,850
    Medical Equipment Preparers $46,170
    Physical Therapist Assistants $60,700

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Columbia, MO is $16.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.83 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Columbia, MO is 5.7% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $29,510 per year in Columbia, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,500.