How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make in Des Moines?
Median yearly pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $18.06 an hour or $3,130 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.06
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 111 of 283
- Jobs in the area
- 320
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,110 | $14.48 | |
| 25th | $31,380 | $15.09 | |
| Median | $37,560 | $18.06 | |
| 75th | $41,890 | $20.14 | |
| 90th | $47,440 | $22.81 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers.
| Ames, IA | $38,300 |
| 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 Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Massage Therapist | $76,090 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,250 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,360 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,020 |
| Medical Assistant | $46,920 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $46,310 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,020 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,940 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,490 |
| Orderly | $37,090 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $18.06 ($37,560 a year).
Do veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $37,560 against $38,150 nationally, 2% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $35,720, so Des Moines pays 5% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker pay?
111 of 283 metro areas with data.
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,110 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,440 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.