Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers vs. Nursing Assistants: Who Earns More?
Nursing Assistants out-earn Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers land at $38,150 and Nursing Assistants at $42,260. The education gap is real: veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretaker programs typically require postsecondary nondegree award, while nursing assistant programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers is Rhode Island ($49,770); for Nursing Assistants it's Oregon ($49,830).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers or Nursing Assistants?
Nursing Assistants earn more nationally. The median is $38,150 for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers versus $42,260 for Nursing Assistants, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers or Nursing Assistants?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers has the better 10-year outlook at 8.7% projected growth, compared to 2.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers or Nursing Assistants?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers typically requires postsecondary nondegree award. Nursing Assistants requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers get paid the most?
Rhode Island is the top-paying state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers at $49,770/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers vs. Nursing Assistants pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Rhode Island, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers earn $49,770 vs. $46,440 for Nursing Assistants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.