U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsFeed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine post-operative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists. Excludes "Nonfarm Animal Caretakers" (39-2021).
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70,530 | 2.4 % | $11.38 | $23,660 | 0.7 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $7.93 | $8.86 | $10.60 | $13.15 | $16.24 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $16,490 | $18,440 | $22,040 | $27,350 | $33,780 |
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 61,770 | 10.67 | $10.86 | $22,580 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 4,020 | 0.14 | $15.21 | $31,640 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 1,870 | 0.31 | $16.20 | $33,690 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | 600 | 0.32 | $11.94 | $24,830 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 430 | 0.01 | $14.54 | $30,230 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 61,770 | 10.67 | $10.86 | $22,580 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | 600 | 0.32 | $11.94 | $24,830 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 1,870 | 0.31 | $16.20 | $33,690 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 4,020 | 0.14 | $15.21 | $31,640 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 330 | 0.12 | $19.59 | $40,740 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 330 | 0.12 | $19.59 | $40,740 |
| Local Government (OES Designation) | 350 | 0.01 | $16.30 | $33,910 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 1,870 | 0.31 | $16.20 | $33,690 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 4,020 | 0.14 | $15.21 | $31,640 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 430 | 0.01 | $14.54 | $30,230 |
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6,940 | 0.50 | 0.89 | $12.66 | $26,330 |
| Texas | 5,870 | 0.58 | 1.05 | $11.16 | $23,210 |
| Florida | 3,980 | 0.56 | 1.01 | $10.42 | $21,670 |
| Virginia | 3,860 | 1.10 | 1.98 | $10.97 | $22,830 |
| Ohio | 3,130 | 0.64 | 1.15 | $10.11 | $21,030 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 3,860 | 1.10 | 1.98 | $10.97 | $22,830 |
| Montana | 400 | 0.94 | 1.69 | $11.02 | $22,920 |
| Kansas | 1,200 | 0.92 | 1.65 | $10.18 | $21,180 |
| Maine | 510 | 0.89 | 1.60 | $13.72 | $28,530 |
| New Mexico | 680 | 0.87 | 1.57 | $12.01 | $24,970 |
Top paying States for this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 80 | 0.13 | 0.23 | $18.38 | $38,220 |
| Massachusetts | 1,710 | 0.55 | 0.99 | $14.82 | $30,820 |
| Connecticut | 840 | 0.52 | 0.94 | $13.99 | $29,090 |
| Maine | 510 | 0.89 | 1.60 | $13.72 | $28,530 |
| Maryland | 1,850 | 0.75 | 1.35 | $13.41 | $27,900 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 1,970 | 0.86 | 1.56 | $11.94 | $24,840 |
| Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX | 1,290 | 0.52 | 0.93 | $11.34 | $23,580 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL Metropolitan Division | 1,210 | 0.34 | 0.61 | $12.19 | $25,360 |
| Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division | 1,200 | 0.60 | 1.09 | $12.22 | $25,420 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA | 1,190 | 0.96 | 1.73 | $12.34 | $25,670 |
| Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division | 1,130 | 0.63 | 1.13 | $13.95 | $29,010 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 1,080 | 0.86 | 1.55 | $10.25 | $21,310 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,070 | 0.98 | 1.76 | $10.03 | $20,860 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division | 1,050 | 0.28 | 0.50 | $12.34 | $25,660 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA | 970 | 0.44 | 0.80 | $11.71 | $24,350 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 80 | 1.83 | 3.30 | $11.01 | $22,910 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 110 | 1.72 | 3.10 | $13.74 | $28,580 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 90 | 1.70 | 3.06 | $11.21 | $23,310 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 160 | 1.69 | 3.05 | $10.93 | $22,730 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 770 | 1.57 | 2.83 | $11.27 | $23,440 |
| Chico, CA | 110 | 1.56 | 2.81 | $12.23 | $25,440 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 150 | 1.56 | 2.81 | $8.94 | $18,600 |
| Ocala, FL | 140 | 1.52 | 2.75 | $9.17 | $19,070 |
| Billings, MT | 120 | 1.50 | 2.70 | $10.78 | $22,430 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 250 | 1.48 | 2.66 | $13.89 | $28,880 |