What They Do
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.
Work Environment
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers held about 117,800 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers were as follows:
| Veterinary services | 87% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 6 |
| Scientific research and development services | 1 |
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.
How to Become One
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 $37,320 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 22,200 openings for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.