Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
The median pay for a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI is $43,940/year ($21.12/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $47K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.82), that's roughly $41,919 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,709/month — about 56.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $44K get you in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington’s Regional Price Parity (104.82). 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, Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Entry-level veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $44K. Top earners bring in $47K or more, a $11K 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 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers make in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI?
The median is $43,940 a year, that works out to about $21 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,610, and experienced veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers can clear $47,260. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $44K enough to live in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,981/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,709/month, which eats 57.3% 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 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington?
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington has a Regional Price Parity of 104.82 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers salary is worth about $41,919 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.