How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make in California?
$46,260a year
Median yearly pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers in California. That is $22.24 an hour or $3,855 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.24
- Vs. national median
- +21%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 16,080
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,800Median: $46,260Highest 10%: $57,940
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,800 | $18.17 | |
| 25th | $39,760 | $19.12 | |
| Median | $46,260 | $22.24 | |
| 75th | $49,290 | $23.70 | |
| 90th | $57,940 | $27.86 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $49,400 |
| San Jose, CA | $49,210 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $47,270 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $47,150 |
| Sacramento, CA | $46,990 |
| Salinas, CA | $46,990 |
| San Diego, CA | $46,720 |
| Vallejo, CA | $46,590 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $46,070 |
| Napa, CA | $45,710 |
| Modesto, CA | $45,560 |
| Oxnard, CA | $45,530 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $45,490 |
| Yuba City, CA | $45,490 |
| Riverside, CA | $44,810 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,040 |
| Redding, CA | $43,930 |
| Chico, CA | $43,830 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $43,270 |
| Merced, CA | $40,040 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $39,850 |
| Visalia, CA | $38,410 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers.
| 1. Rhode Island | $49,770 |
| 2. District of Columbia | $49,080 |
| 3. Massachusetts | $46,670 |
| 4. California | $46,260 |
| 5. New Jersey | $46,160 |
| 6. Maine | $45,510 |
| 7. Minnesota | $45,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $22.24 ($46,260 a year).
Do veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $46,260 against $38,150 nationally, 21% more.
Where does California rank for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker pay?
California ranks 4 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $49,400 a year.
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.