Healthcare support
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
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.
Median pay
$38,150
Growth to 2035
+9%
faster than average
Openings a year
23,200
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers: 7% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
- Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- Fill medication prescriptions.
- Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
- Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
- Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
- Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
Also called: Animal Care Provider · Animal Caregiver · Avian Keeper · Certified Veterinary Assistant · Emergency Veterinary Assistant · Inpatient Technician Assistant · Kennel Vet Assistant (Kennel Veterinary Assistant) · Research Animal Attendant
Outlook and AI
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers held 132,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 144,200 by 2035 (+9%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
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