What Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Do
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers handle routine animal care and help scientists, veterinarians, and others with their daily tasks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7H9heVK-l4
Work Environment
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work mainly in clinics, animal hospitals, and research laboratories. Their work may be physically and emotionally demanding.
How to Become a Veterinary Assistant or Laboratory Animal Caretaker
Most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the occupation on the job.
Pay
The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers was $28,590 in May 2019.
Job Outlook
Employment of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. High turnover should result in good job opportunities.
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers handle routine animal care and help scientists, veterinarians, and veterinary technologists and technicians with their daily tasks.
Duties
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers typically do the following:
- Feed, bathe, and exercise animals
- Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, and examination and operating rooms
- Restrain animals during examination and laboratory procedures
- Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment
- Monitor and care for animals after surgery
- Help provide emergency first aid to sick and injured animals
- Give medication or immunizations that veterinarians prescribe
- Assist in collecting blood, urine, and tissue samples
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers also provide nursing care before surgery and other medical procedures.
They may prepare equipment and pass surgical instruments and materials to veterinarians during surgery. They also move animals during testing and other procedures.
Veterinary assistants typically help veterinarians and veterinary technologists and technicians treat injuries and illnesses of animals.
Laboratory animal caretakers’ daily tasks include feeding animals, cleaning kennels, and monitoring animals.
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers held about 99,500 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers were as follows:
Veterinary services | 87% |
Junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 5 |
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 3 |
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work primarily in clinics and animal hospitals, colleges and universities, and research laboratories.
The work of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers may be physically and emotionally demanding. Workers may handle sick or abused animals and may assist in euthanizing animals.
Injuries and Illnesses
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. When working with scared and aggressive animals, workers may be bitten, scratched, or kicked. Workers may also be injured while holding, bathing, or restraining an animal.
Work Schedules
Some veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work part time. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers may work nights, weekends, or holidays.
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers.
Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Animal Care and Service Workers |
Animal care and service workers attend to animals. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $24,990 | |
Dental Assistants |
Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $40,080 | |
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies |
Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas. |
See How to Become One | $29,640 | |
Phlebotomists |
Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $35,510 | |
Surgical Technologists |
Surgical technologists assist in surgical operations. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $48,300 | |
Veterinarians |
Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect public health. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $95,460 | |
|
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians |
Veterinary technologists and technicians do medical tests that help diagnose animals’ injuries and illnesses. |
Associate’s degree | $35,320 |
For more information about certification as a laboratory animal caretaker, visit
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
For more information about certification as a veterinary assistant, visit
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
For more information about becoming a veterinary assistant, including career opportunities, visit
American Animal Hospital Association
Related BLS articles
Beyond the Numbers: “Ahead of the pack: why are veterinary occupations growing much faster than average?“
O*NET
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-assistants-and-laboratory-animal-caretakers.htm (visited ).