Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers 
General Information
Description
Feed, 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 postoperative 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.
Business Breakdown
People in this career work in these sectors.
- Private, for profit85.59%
- Private, not for profit5.57%
- Self-employed5.24%
- State and local government2.56%
- Federal government0.63%
Workplace at a Glance
What you can expect to experience while on the job
- Responsibility
- Exposure to job hazards
- Physical activity
- Decision making
- Repetitiveness
- Level of competition
- Time pressure
Industry areas
- Health Science
Job Outlook
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Salary
Salary Information
Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
$34,740
State-by-state Salary
Gray states indicate no data available
Education & Interests
Most Common Education Levels
People in this career achieve this level of education.
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High school 78%
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Post-secondary certificate 10%
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Less than high school 6%
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Some college 3%
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Master's degree 0%
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Doctoral degree 0%
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Bachelor's degree 0%
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Associate's degree 0%
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Post baccalaureate 0%
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Post-doctoral training 0%
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Post-master's certificate 0%
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First professional degree 0%
PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS
You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:
- Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
- Social — You have an interest in helping, teaching, advising, assisting or providing service to others.
- Investigative — You have an interest in studying and researching objects, organisms, and other things.
Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.
Skills at a Glance
Skills helpful in this career
- Verbal skills
- Critical thinking & problem solving
- Equipment operation & maintenance
- Math & science skills
- Technology design & control
- Leadership
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Medicine and Dentistry
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