Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $38,370 +2.8% vs national
Median hourly $18.45
10th percentile $36,400
90th percentile $47,500
Employed locally 1,060
National median $37,320

Compare Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary & buying power

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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,400
    25th
    $36,960
    50th (median)
    $38,370
    75th
    $46,480
    90th
    $47,500

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 45% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 55% 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 Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$33,280
    Medical Assistants$42,720
    Nursing Assistants$44,950
    Dental Assistants$49,030
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$53,370
    Phlebotomists$50,490

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Riverside, CA is $18.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.04 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Riverside, CA is 2.8% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $36,400 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,960.