How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make in Santa Maria?
Median yearly pay for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $21.87 an hour or $3,791 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.87
- Vs. national median
- +19%
- Rank among cities
- 19 of 283
- Jobs in the area
- 210
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,580 | $18.07 | |
| 25th | $38,790 | $18.65 | |
| Median | $45,490 | $21.87 | |
| 75th | $47,120 | $22.65 | |
| 90th | $55,880 | $26.87 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Santa Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $85,150 |
| Phlebotomist | $60,290 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $57,560 |
| Dental Assistant | $51,310 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $51,010 |
| Orderly | $50,040 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,500 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $48,260 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,130 |
| Massage Therapist | $43,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $21.87 ($45,490 a year).
Do veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakers make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
Yes: $45,490 against $38,150 nationally, 19% more.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $46,260, so Santa Maria pays 2% less.
Where does Santa Maria rank for veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker pay?
19 of 283 metro areas with data.
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $37,580 or less a year; the top 10% make $55,880 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.