Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $38,140 +2.2% vs national
Median hourly $18.34
10th percentile $35,410
90th percentile $47,850
Employed locally 370
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
Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,410
    25th
    $37,890
    50th (median)
    $38,140
    75th
    $44,800
    90th
    $47,850

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 47% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 53% 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
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $48,010
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $47,040
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $44,190
    Anchorage, AK $39,020
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $37,740
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $37,090

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Nursing Assistants$38,710
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$31,400
    Medical Assistants$45,110
    Dental Assistants$49,010
    Phlebotomists$45,460
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$44,740

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Durham, NC is $18.34, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.04 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Durham, NC is 2.2% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $35,410 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,890.