Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Salinas, CA

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

Median annual salary $45,740 +22.6% vs national
Median hourly $21.99
10th percentile $37,730
90th percentile $52,360
Employed locally 140
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
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,730
    25th
    $38,290
    50th (median)
    $45,740
    75th
    $47,630
    90th
    $52,360

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 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
    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
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $45,560
    California $45,470

    Related occupations in Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$33,580
    Medical Assistants$47,530
    Nursing Assistants$47,500
    Dental Assistants$51,940
    Massage Therapists$59,630
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$48,310

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Salinas, CA is $21.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.44 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Salinas, CA is 22.6% 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $37,730 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,290.