Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $33,280 -10.8% vs national
Median hourly $16.00
10th percentile $30,010
90th percentile $45,130
Employed locally 250
National median $37,320

Compare Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Des Moines, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,010
    25th
    $30,240
    50th (median)
    $33,280
    75th
    $37,670
    90th
    $45,130

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 40% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 60% 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
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $45,470
    California $45,470
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $45,240
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $43,910
    District of Columbia $43,580
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $43,430

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $35,480
    Nursing Assistants $39,790
    Medical Assistants $45,700
    Dental Assistants $48,680
    Phlebotomists $39,200
    Massage Therapists $73,300

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Des Moines, IA is $16.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.81 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Des Moines, IA is 10.8% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $30,010 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,240.