What are the main factors that influence a Veterinary Assistant's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What are the highest paying states for a Veterinary Assistant?

Veterinary Assistant salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Veterinary Assistant roles are District of Columbia $38,622, California $38,476, Massachusetts $37,963. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Veterinary Assistant roles make?

Salaries for Veterinary Assistant level roles vary by specialization: RVT or Veterinary assistant: $118,512; Veterinary Surgical Assistant: $47,985; Veterinary Nursing Assistant: $47,190; Veterinary Assistant Instructor: $46,543; Veterinary Assistant Emergency: $46,486.

Veterinary Assistant Salary in Rhode Island

How much does a Veterinary Assistant make in Rhode Island?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Veterinary Assistant in Rhode Island is $36,167 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

However, a Veterinary Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $50,415
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29,141 to $43,625
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $22,744

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Veterinary Assistant Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$43,625	$3,635	$839	$21
Average	$36,167	$3,014	$696	$17
25th Percentile	$29,141	$2,428	$560	$14

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Check out Veterinary Assistant Job Openings in Rhode Island

Veterinary Technician

AmeriVet Veterinary Partners - Wakefield, RI

Licensed Veterinary Technician

National Veterinary Association - Kingston, RI

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Liston Animal Hospital - Kingston, RI

Veterinary Extern

Liston Animal Hospital - Cumberland, RI

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Key Factors That Influence Veterinary Assistant Salaries

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.

How Do Veterinary Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

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:

District of Columbia: $38,622.
California: $38,476.
Massachusetts: $37,963.

District of Columbia $38,622 California $38,476 Massachusetts $37,963 Washington $37,824 New Jersey $37,810 Alaska $37,761 Connecticut $37,279 New York $37,084

Hawaii $36,460 Rhode Island $36,167 Maryland $35,968 Minnesota $35,696 Colorado $35,591 Illinois $35,556 Oregon $35,424 Delaware $35,326

New Hampshire $35,265 Virginia $35,127 Pennsylvania $34,726 Nevada $34,524 North Dakota $34,457 Michigan $34,353 Wisconsin $34,314 Vermont $34,238

Texas $34,025 Maine $34,011 Arizona $33,990 Ohio $33,966 Georgia $33,645 Indiana $33,484 Wyoming $33,453 Utah $33,404

Iowa $33,383 Kansas $33,216 Louisiana $33,167 North Carolina $33,149 Missouri $33,142 Florida $33,006 Montana $32,933 Nebraska $32,863

Kentucky $32,825 South Carolina $32,685 Tennessee $32,598 Idaho $32,563 New Mexico $32,309 Oklahoma $32,253 Alabama $32,047 South Dakota $31,702

Arkansas $31,513 West Virginia $31,412 Mississippi $31,109

Top Paying Cities for Veterinary Assistants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Adamsville: $36,760
Albion: $36,149
Ashaway: $36,899

Adamsville, RI $36,760 Albion, RI $36,149 Ashaway, RI $36,899 Barrington, RI $36,149 Block Island, RI $36,707 Bradford, RI $36,875 Bristol, RI $36,114 Carolina, RI $36,575

Charlestown, RI $36,613 Chepachet, RI $36,079 Clayville, RI $36,114 Coventry, RI $36,079 West Greenwich, RI $36,055 East Greenwich, RI $36,104 Exeter, RI $36,875 Fiskeville, RI $36,149

Forestdale, RI $36,114 Foster, RI $36,055 Glendale, RI $36,055 Greene, RI $36,460 Greenville, RI $36,149 Harmony, RI $36,139 Harrisville, RI $36,079 Hope, RI $36,149

Hope Valley, RI $36,899 Hopkinton, RI $36,910 Jamestown, RI $36,540 Kenyon, RI $36,864 Little Compton, RI $36,746 Manville, RI $36,149 Mapleville, RI $36,055 Newport, RI $36,547

Middletown, RI $36,700 North Kingstown, RI $36,045 North Scituate, RI $36,139 Oakland, RI $36,090 Pascoag, RI $36,069 Pawtucket, RI $36,149 Central Falls, RI $36,149 Cumberland, RI $36,149

Lincoln, RI $36,149 Portsmouth, RI $36,400 Prudence Island, RI $36,079 Rockville, RI $36,910 Saunderstown, RI $36,561 Shannock, RI $36,854 Slatersville, RI $36,114 Slocum, RI $36,561

Tiverton, RI $36,770 Wakefield, RI $36,522 Kingston, RI $36,529 Narragansett, RI $36,536 Peace Dale, RI $36,522 Warren, RI $36,139 Warwick, RI $36,149 Westerly, RI $36,920

West Kingston, RI $36,550 West Warwick, RI $36,149 Wood River Junction, RI $36,875 Woonsocket, RI $36,114 North Smithfield, RI $36,139 Wyoming, RI $36,864 Providence, RI $36,149 Cranston, RI $36,149

North Providence, RI $36,149 East Providence, RI $36,149 Riverside, RI $36,149 Rumford, RI $36,149 Smithfield, RI $36,149 Johnston, RI $36,149

Veterinary Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 April 01, 2026

$29,141

Average $36,167/year

$43,625

$2,428

Average $3,014/month

$3,635

$560

Average $696/week

$839

$14

Average $17/hour

$21

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$43,625	$3,635	$839	$21
Average	$36,167	$3,014	$696	$17
25th Percentile	$29,141	$2,428	$560	$14

Veterinary Assistant Salary Growth & Career Path

Veterinary Assistant

Horse Rider/Exerciser

For a Veterinary Assistant, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Horse Rider/Exerciser role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $66,761 - a projected growth of 85% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Veterinary Assistant

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.