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Vet assistants help scientists, veterinarians, and vet techs with their daily tasks. They could have a number of different roles and responsibilities depending on their work environment.

Some of these include:

Feeding, exercising, and cleaning various animals
Disinfecting cages, kennels, examination, and operating rooms
Sterilizing surgical equipment
Taking care of sick and injured animals
Giving medication to animals
This is an exciting opportunity for animal lovers.

We recommend becoming a vet assistant and testing whether you like the industry, before going to school to become a veterinarian.

In 1999, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded the average base salary for veterinary assistants at $16,710.

By 2019, the average base salary increased to $29,690.

This is a wage growth of $12,980 (or $649 yearly) from 1999-2019.

The estimated 2020 base salary would be $30,339.

Using the yearly wage growth average, we can predict wages over the next 10 years.

By 2029, veterinary assistants should have an average salary of around $36,180.

In 2019, average base salaries for vet assistants by state range from $23,860 to $41,000.

There is a $17,140 difference in average wages based on the state.

High paying states using 2019 salaries include:

Maine: $41,000
Massachusetts: $40,070
Connecticut: $35,210
California: $33,680
New York: $33,220
Oregon: $32,810
Hawaii: $32,680
Lowest paying states using 2019 salaries include:

Alabama: $23,680
Utah: $24,090
New Mexico: $24,700
West Virginia: $25,060
Tennessee: $25,110
South Dakota: $25,270
Lousiana: $25,340

Here is how the 2019 base salaries break down by percentile.

10th Percentile: $20,790 (starting salary estimate)
25th Percentile: $24,080
Average: $28,590
75th Percentile: $34,220
90th Percentile: $39,800

The job market for vet assistants has grown over the past 20 years.

In 1999, there were 53,680 employed vet assistants.

By 2019, there were 97,030 employed vet assistants.

From 2019 - 2019, there was a growth of 43,350 employed vet assistants (2,168 per year).

The total number of vet assistants has almost doubled in just two decades.

Interestingly, job growth hasn't been even over the years.

From 2003 to 2014, the number of jobs barely budged.

The job growth acceleration really started in 2014 and hasn't stopped since.

For this occupation, there are job opportunities in every state. The states with the greatest number of people seem to have the greatest number of employed vet assistants.

The states with the greatest number of vet assistants include:

California: 12,360
Texas: 6,050
Florida: 5,410
New York: 4,890
Virginia: 4,320
North Carolina: 4,290
Ohio: 3,790
The states with the lowest number of vet assistants include:

Rhode Island: 60
Vermont: 70
North Dakota: 130
Alaska: 170
Wyoming: 180
South Dakota: 180
Delaware: 230

The government is predicting a 16% growth in vet assistants over the next 10 years.

This occupation is expected to grow extremely fast.

To put this in perspective, the average occupation is predicted to grow by 4% over the next 10 years.

Vet assistants are expected to grow over four times faster than the average occupation.

According to the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), vet assistants score high in both Realistic (95) and Social (56) themes.

People that score high in the realistic theme tend to describe themselves as reliable, practical, thrifty, persistent, reserved, and self-reliant. They are motivated by building, repairing, and being outdoors.

People that score high in the social theme tend to describe themselves as helpful, cooperative, kind, cheerful, and patient. They are motivated by helping, empowering, and instructing others.

In this video, Stephen Hack talks about vet assistants statistics nationally and across the United States. “How much does a vet assistant make?” and “How many jobs are there for vet assistants” are important questions for people trying to choose between different fields. Vet assistants play a vital role in our society.


CareerWatch is a career driven YouTube channel devoted to informing people about career trends.