As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Veterinary Assistant in the United States is $17, which translates to an annual salary of about $34,943.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Veterinary Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Veterinary Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 6.56% |
| Animal Care | 3.47% |
| Triage | 2.33% |
Understanding how a Veterinary Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 01, 2026
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Prepares treatment room for examination of animals; restrains animals during examination, treatment, or inoculation. Monitors animals after surgical procedures and records status. Feeds, bathes, and exercises animals. Cleans, disinfects and maintains cages, kennels, and exam areas. Assists with collecting blood and other samples. May also perform clerical tasks and data entry in veterinary office. May have to complete an apprenticeship and/or formal training in area of specialty. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience, or may need 0 years of experience with additional specialized training and/or certification.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Commitment: An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
Animal Care: Providing animals' physical and mental needs to protect their welfare by treating them all with care.
Triage: Triage (/ˈtriːɑːʒ, triˈɑːʒ/) is the process of determining the priority of patients' treatments based on the severity of their condition. This rations patient treatment efficiently when resources are insufficient for all to be treated immediately; influencing the order and priority of emergency treatment, emergency transport, or transport destination for the patient. This article covers the various types of triage systems as it occurs in medical emergencies, including the prehospital setting, disasters, and emergency department treatment, along with their limitations and ethical considerations.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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