Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Health Science In demand
Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.

What a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker does

Become a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker

If you enjoy doing these activities, you might make a good veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

Discover what you could earn in Washington

  • Average hourly rate is $19 per hour with an average salary of $38,700 per year.
  • Half of workers earn between $17 and $20 per hour.
  • Half of workers earn an annual salary between $36,100 and $42,200 per year.

Veterinary Assistants And Laboratory Animal Caretaker job outlook

  • There are 3,909 workers in this occupation in Washington.
  • There are 973 openings per year in this occupation in Washington.

Growth rate by year

Education needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Programs to get you there

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