Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Rochester, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rochester, NY

Median annual salary $36,830 -1.3% vs national
Median hourly $17.71
10th percentile $34,750
90th percentile $45,500
Employed locally 350
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
Rochester, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,750
    25th
    $35,850
    50th (median)
    $36,830
    75th
    $37,750
    90th
    $45,500

    Rochester economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,438 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 49% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 51% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,950
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $44,790
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $39,300
    Kingston, NY $39,230
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $38,620
    Ithaca, NY $38,480

    Related occupations in Rochester, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $36,030
    Nursing Assistants $39,800
    Medical Assistants $43,230
    Dental Assistants $46,520
    Phlebotomists $45,340
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $41,600

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Rochester, NY is $17.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.04 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Rochester, NY is 1.3% 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 Rochester?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $34,750 per year in Rochester, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,850.