Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $39,120 +4.8% vs national
Median hourly $18.81
10th percentile $36,000
90th percentile $48,090
Employed locally 50
National median $37,320

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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
in
Merced, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,000
    25th
    $36,160
    50th (median)
    $39,120
    75th
    $45,860
    90th
    $48,090

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 60% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 40% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,950
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $46,620
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $46,280
    Salinas, CA $45,740
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $45,560

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $33,530
    Medical Assistants $39,200
    Nursing Assistants $44,040
    Dental Assistants $47,420
    Psychiatric Aides $49,590
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $42,050

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Merced, CA is $18.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.93 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Merced, CA is 4.8% 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $36,000 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,160.