Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary
in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Middle 50%
- $35,250–$43,630
- vs U.S. median
- +3%
- Metro rank
- #34 of 119
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro earn a median of $39,280 a year, based on BLS estimates for 2,190 jobs (May 2025). That is 3% above the U.S. median of $38,150 and 5% above the IL statewide median of $37,480. It ranks #34 of 119 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE2,190 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Questions
What is the average Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in Chicago?
The BLS median is $39,280 a year (May 2025). Half of the 2,190 jobs pay between $35,250 and $43,630. The 10th percentile is $34,890 and the 90th is $47,140.
Is Chicago a high-paying metro for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
That is 3% above the U.S. median of $38,150 and 5% above the IL statewide median of $37,480. It ranks #34 of 119 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make an hour in Chicago?
About $18.88 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $39,280 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $16.95–$20.98 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.