Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers vs. Nursing Assistants: Who Earns More?
Nursing Assistantss out-earn Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss land at $38,150 and Nursing Assistantss 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 Caretakerss is Rhode Island ($49,770); for Nursing Assistantss 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 Caretakerss or Nursing Assistantss?
Nursing Assistantss earn more nationally. The median is $38,150 for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss versus $42,260 for Nursing Assistantss, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers or Nursing Assistants?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
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 Caretakerss get paid the most?
Rhode Island is the top-paying state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakerss 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 Caretakerss earn $49,770 vs. $46,440 for Nursing Assistantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.