Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Salary in State College, PA
The median pay for a veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in State College, PA is $34,420/year ($16.55/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $44K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.76), that's roughly $35,573 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,406/month — about 58.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $34K get you in State College?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by State College’s Regional Price Parity (96.76). 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, State College, PA
Entry-level veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $34K. Top earners bring in $44K or more, a $13K 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 State College numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers make in State College, PA?
The median is $34,420 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,450, and experienced veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers can clear $43,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $34K enough to live in State College?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,387/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,406/month, which eats 58.9% 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 State College?
State College has a Regional Price Parity of 96.76 (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 $35,573 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.