Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Lakeland, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Median annual salary $35,740 -4.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.18
10th percentile $28,820
90th percentile $44,430
Employed locally 180
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
Lakeland, FL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,820
    25th
    $29,860
    50th (median)
    $35,740
    75th
    $38,330
    90th
    $44,430

    Lakeland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $63,644 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 56% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 44% 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
    Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $42,590
    Naples-Marco Island, FL $38,110
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $37,920
    North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $37,620
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $37,480
    Florida $37,200

    Related occupations in Lakeland, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Nursing Assistants $36,080
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $30,870
    Medical Assistants $38,140
    Dental Assistants $44,870
    Physical Therapist Assistants $63,700
    Phlebotomists $37,290

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Lakeland, FL is $17.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.66 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Lakeland, FL is 4.2% 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 Lakeland?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $28,820 per year in Lakeland, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,860.