Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Fort Wayne, IN
The median pay for a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Fort Wayne, IN is $34,440/year ($16.56/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $28K at the entry level to $38K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.57), which stretches that salary to about $37,204 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,113/month — about 46.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $34K get you in Fort Wayne?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Fort Wayne’s Regional Price Parity (92.57). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Fort Wayne, IN
Entry-level veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers (10th percentile) start around $28K. Mid-career wages sit at $34K. Top earners bring in $38K or more, a $10K spread from bottom to top.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $48K | +29% | 360 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +22% | 1,470 |
| California | $45K | +22% | 14,960 |
| Maine | $44K | +18% | 790 |
| Minnesota | $44K | +17% | 1,220 |
| Washington | $44K | +17% | 4,720 |
| District of Columbia | $44K | +17% | 150 |
| Maryland | $44K | +17% | 1,690 |
| New York | $43K | +16% | 5,680 |
| New Jersey | $43K | +15% | 1,910 |
| Oregon | $43K | +15% | 2,670 |
| Connecticut | $40K | +6% | 1,270 |
| Arizona | $38K | +2% | 2,210 |
| Alaska | $38K | +1% | 150 |
| Illinois | $37K | -0% | 3,790 |
| Florida | $37K | -0% | 7,060 |
| Montana | $37K | -1% | 580 |
| North Carolina | $37K | -2% | 5,190 |
| Michigan | $37K | -2% | 4,040 |
| Virginia | $37K | -2% | 4,880 |
| Pennsylvania | $36K | -2% | 4,390 |
| Tennessee | $36K | -2% | 2,180 |
| Wyoming | $36K | -2% | 160 |
| North Dakota | $36K | -3% | 240 |
| Nevada | $36K | -3% | 1,400 |
| Vermont | $36K | -3% | 260 |
| Delaware | $36K | -3% | 180 |
| Idaho | $36K | -4% | 790 |
| Utah | $36K | -4% | 720 |
| South Carolina | $36K | -4% | 1,840 |
| New Mexico | $36K | -5% | 470 |
| Hawaii | $35K | -5% | 510 |
| Indiana | $35K | -5% | 2,670 |
| New Hampshire | $35K | -6% | 560 |
| Nebraska | $35K | -6% | 800 |
| Missouri | $35K | -6% | 2,040 |
| Wisconsin | $35K | -6% | 1,940 |
| Georgia | $35K | -6% | 3,280 |
| Ohio | $35K | -7% | 4,190 |
| South Dakota | $33K | -12% | 270 |
| Kansas | $33K | -12% | 1,490 |
| West Virginia | $33K | -13% | 660 |
| Kentucky | $33K | -13% | 930 |
| Iowa | $31K | -16% | 1,040 |
| Arkansas | $31K | -18% | 1,200 |
| Texas | $30K | -18% | 8,040 |
| Mississippi | $30K | -20% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $30K | -20% | 1,640 |
| Alabama | $30K | -21% | 1,060 |
| Louisiana | $29K | -22% | 970 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Fort Wayne numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The median is $34,440 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $27,940, and experienced veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers can clear $38,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $34K enough to live in Fort Wayne?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,389/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,113/month, which eats 46.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers salary go in Fort Wayne?
Fort Wayne has a Regional Price Parity of 92.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers salary is worth about $37,204 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.