Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Columbia, SC

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

Median annual salary $35,970 -3.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.29
10th percentile $28,200
90th percentile $44,900
Employed locally 240
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
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,200
    25th
    $29,520
    50th (median)
    $35,970
    75th
    $37,550
    90th
    $44,900

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 54% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 46% 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
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $36,720

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $29,320
    Nursing Assistants $36,410
    Medical Assistants $38,230
    Dental Assistants $45,610
    Phlebotomists $38,480
    Orderlies $36,370

    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, SC is $17.29, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.62 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, SC is 3.6% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $28,200 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,520.