How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make in Chicago?
Median yearly pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $18.88 an hour or $3,273 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.88
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 55 of 283
- Jobs in the area
- 2,190
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,890 | $16.77 | |
| 25th | $35,250 | $16.95 | |
| Median | $39,280 | $18.88 | |
| 75th | $43,630 | $20.98 | |
| 90th | $47,140 | $22.66 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers.
| Springfield, IL | $38,050 |
| Champaign, IL | $37,920 |
| St. Louis, MO | $37,790 |
| Rockford, IL | $37,670 |
| Bloomington, IL | $36,540 |
| Davenport, IA | $36,470 |
| Peoria, IL | $35,220 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $72,230 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,840 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,200 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,950 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $48,670 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,630 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $48,440 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,190 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $18.88 ($39,280 a year).
Do veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $39,280 against $38,150 nationally, 3% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $37,480, so Chicago pays 5% more.
Where does Chicago rank for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker pay?
55 of 283 metro areas with data.
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,890 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,140 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.