Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Iowa City, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Iowa City, IA

Median annual salary $35,310 -5.4% vs national
Median hourly $16.98
10th percentile $29,290
90th percentile $45,880
Employed locally 50
National median $37,320

Compare Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
in
Iowa City, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,290
    25th
    $32,790
    50th (median)
    $35,310
    75th
    $37,340
    90th
    $45,880

    Iowa City economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,142 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 48% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 52% 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 Iowa City, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $34,880
    Nursing Assistants $37,900
    Medical Assistants $40,240
    Dental Assistants $48,890
    Medical Equipment Preparers $38,060
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $50,650

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Iowa City, IA is $16.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.06 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Iowa City, IA is 5.4% 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 Iowa City?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $29,290 per year in Iowa City, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $32,790.