How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make in San Diego?
Median yearly pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $22.46 an hour or $3,893 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.46
- Vs. national median
- +22%
- Rank among cities
- 8 of 283
- Jobs in the area
- 1,970
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,850 | $18.20 | |
| 25th | $39,570 | $19.02 | |
| Median | $46,720 | $22.46 | |
| 75th | $47,320 | $22.75 | |
| 90th | $57,400 | $27.60 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $82,680 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $82,160 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $67,830 |
| Phlebotomist | $58,170 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,120 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $57,740 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,420 |
| Orderly | $49,410 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,070 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $46,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $22.46 ($46,720 a year).
Do veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $46,720 against $38,150 nationally, 22% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $46,260, so San Diego pays 1% more.
Where does San Diego rank for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker pay?
8 of 283 metro areas with data.
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $37,850 or less a year; the top 10% make $57,400 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.