Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in State College, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • State College, PA

Median annual salary $34,420 -7.8% vs national
Median hourly $16.55
10th percentile $30,450
90th percentile $43,630
Employed locally 80
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
State College, PA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,450
    25th
    $30,910
    50th (median)
    $34,420
    75th
    $37,340
    90th
    $43,630

    State College economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,748 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary vs area income 47% Median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary is 53% 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
    Napa, CA $45,280
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $43,940
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $43,350
    Grants Pass, OR $39,610
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $38,000
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $37,920

    Related occupations in State College, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$30,000
    Nursing Assistants$38,310
    Medical Assistants$42,370
    Dental Assistants$46,260
    Physical Therapist Assistants$57,170
    Massage Therapists$83,200

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in State College, PA is $16.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.30 or more per hour.

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

    The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in State College, PA is 7.8% 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 State College?

    Entry-level Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (10th percentile) earn around $30,450 per year in State College, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,910.