Veterinary Assistant Surgery Salary in the United States

How much does a Veterinary Assistant Surgery make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Veterinary Assistant Surgery in the United States is $118,914 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $131,355
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,484 to $125,426
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,078
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View as table View as graph 25% $107,484 10% $97,078 90% $131,355 75% $125,426 $118,914 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Veterinary Assistant Surgery Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $125,426 $10,452 $2,412 $60
Average $118,914 $9,910 $2,287 $57
25th Percentile $107,484 $8,957 $2,067 $52
Check out Veterinary Assistant Surgery Job Openings in the United States
Registered Veterinary Technician RVT

305 Animal Hospital - Wickliffe, OH

Licensed Veterinary Technician is required

Tri County Veterinary Clinic - Fostoria, OH

Registered Veterinary Technician

Animal Clinic of Northview - North Ridgeville, OH

Registered Veterinary Technician

Brunswick Animal Hospital - OH - Brunswick, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Veterinary Assistant Surgery Salaries

A Veterinary Assistant Surgery's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Veterinary Assistant Surgery Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Veterinary Assistant Surgery's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $113,050
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $113,947
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,384
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $117,179
  • Expert (over 8 years): $119,393
Levels Salary
Entry Level Veterinary Assistant Surgery$113,050
Intermediate Level Veterinary Assistant Surgery$113,947
Senior Level Veterinary Assistant Surgery$115,384
Specialist Level Veterinary Assistant Surgery$117,179
Expert Level Veterinary Assistant Surgery$119,393
$113,050 0 yr
$113,947 < 2 yrs
$115,384 2-4 yrs
$117,179 5-8 yrs
$119,393 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Veterinary Assistant Surgery 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 Assistant Surgeries. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $131,662.
  • California: $131,162.
  • Massachusetts: $129,414.

Top Paying Cities for Veterinary Assistant Surgeries

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:

  • San Jose: $149,986
  • San Francisco: $148,512
  • Oakland: $145,218

What Skills Can Increase a Veterinary Assistant Surgery's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 6.6% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Internal Medicine (Mentioned in 3.38% Job Postings): Diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.
  • Animal Care (Mentioned in 2.32% Job Postings): Providing animals' physical and mental needs to protect their welfare by treating them all with care.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.6%
Internal Medicine 3.38%
Animal Care 2.32%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Veterinary Assistant Surgery's salary.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Business Acumen: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Client Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Written Communication
$130,805
10%
Business Acumen
$128,427
8%
Client Communications
$126,049
6%
Leadership
$126,049
6%
Patient Care
$126,049
6%
Innovation
$124,860
5%
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Veterinary Assistant Surgery Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Veterinary Assistant Surgery'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

Salary Trends for Veterinary Assistant Surgery

Salaries for a Veterinary Assistant Surgery can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $108,878 in 2023 to around $104,400 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Veterinary Assistant Surgery salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Veterinary Assistant Surgery Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$108,878
2024
$107,377
2025
$104,400
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $108,878
2024 $107,377
2025 $104,400
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Veterinary Assistant Surgery

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Veterinary Assistant Surgery

Here are companies hiring for Veterinary Assistant Surgery and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Veterinary Assistant Surgery Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Veterinary Assistant Surgery job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

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