How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make in Ames?
$38,300a year
Median yearly pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $18.41 an hour or $3,192 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.41
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 76 of 283
- Jobs in the area
- 90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,180Median: $38,300Highest 10%: $54,720
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,180 | $14.03 | |
| 25th | $34,600 | $16.63 | |
| Median | $38,300 | $18.41 | |
| 75th | $45,850 | $22.04 | |
| 90th | $54,720 | $26.31 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers.
| Des Moines, IA | $37,560 |
| Omaha, NE | $36,840 |
| Davenport, IA | $36,470 |
| Waterloo, IA | $36,240 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,210 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,310 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Dental Assistant | $49,140 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,810 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,540 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $35,660 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $18.41 ($38,300 a year).
Do veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers make more in Ames than the national average?
Yes: $38,300 against $38,150 nationally, 0% more.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $35,720, so Ames pays 7% more.
Where does Ames rank for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker pay?
76 of 283 metro areas with data.
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,180 or less a year; the top 10% make $54,720 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.