Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $44,830 +20.1% vs national
Median hourly $21.56
10th percentile $37,230
90th percentile $54,350
Employed locally 1,640
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
San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,230
    25th
    $37,950
    50th (median)
    $44,830
    75th
    $48,050
    90th
    $54,350

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 44% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 56% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $35,050
    Nursing Assistants $46,600
    Medical Assistants $47,780
    Dental Assistants $46,420
    Massage Therapists $41,600
    Phlebotomists $53,570

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in San Diego, CA is $21.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.60 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in San Diego, CA is 20.1% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $37,230 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,950.