• Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
    • ☆☆☆☆☆
  • Health Science
  • Annual Median Wage
    $ 29,050
    $21,550 range bar $40,060
    Annual NC Wage Range
    Growth Rate
    Image of growth rate score 5
    Very Fast Growing
  • Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics.

What do they typically do

  • Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms
  • Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures
  • Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems
  • Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries
  • Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury
  • Fill medication prescriptions
  • Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment
  • Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control spread of disease

Number of Jobs

Average Annual
Job Growth +2.5%
Job Opening 747

Job Listings

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View available jobs
Animal Care Provider, Animal Caregiver, Avian Keeper, Certified Veterinary Assistant, Emergency Veterinary Assistant, Inpatient Technician Assistant, Kennel Vet Assistant (Kennel Veterinary Assistant), Small Animal Caretaker, Veterinarian Assistant (Vet Assistant)
View available jobs on Indeed

Education & Training

  • Education

    Most occupations require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
    Associated Programs or Majors
    More
    License
    • NA
    More
Private Training Programs
3541

First Step

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