Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary
in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
- Middle 50%
- $39,570–$47,320
- vs U.S. median
- +22%
- Metro rank
- #6 of 119
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro earn a median of $46,720 a year, based on BLS estimates for 1,970 jobs (May 2025). That is 22% above the U.S. median of $38,150 and 1% above the CA statewide median of $46,260. It ranks #6 of 119 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE1,970 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
Were you outpaid?
Your salary is ranked in your browser and never uploaded.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in other CA metros
8 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $49,400 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $49,210 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $47,270 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $47,150 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $46,990 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $46,070 |
| Modesto, CA | $45,560 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $45,530 |
Turn your result into a raise plan.
Run the free check first for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. If you want to act on it, the Dossier turns your result into a target number (the 75th percentile for your job and metro), the employers that report paying more (where filing data exists), a raise or counter-offer script filled in with your numbers, and a one-page summary for your manager.
- ✓ Built from BLS and DOL data
- ✓ PDF generated in your browser
- ✓ 7-day money-back guarantee
Your salary stays in your browser.
RELATED JOBS IN SAN DIEGO
Questions
What is the average Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in San Diego?
The BLS median is $46,720 a year (May 2025). Half of the 1,970 jobs pay between $39,570 and $47,320. The 10th percentile is $37,850 and the 90th is $57,400.
Is San Diego a high-paying metro for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
That is 22% above the U.S. median of $38,150 and 1% above the CA statewide median of $46,260. It ranks #6 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 San Diego?
About $22.46 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $46,720 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $19.02–$22.75 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.