Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $41,860 +12.2% vs national
Median hourly $20.13
10th percentile $36,730
90th percentile $49,150
Employed locally 190
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
Santa Maria, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,730
    25th
    $37,300
    50th (median)
    $41,860
    75th
    $46,880
    90th
    $49,150

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $33,540
    Medical Assistants $49,710
    Nursing Assistants $46,190
    Dental Assistants $49,570
    Phlebotomists $61,350
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $53,030

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Santa Maria, CA is $20.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.87 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Santa Maria, CA is 12.2% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $36,730 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,300.