How Much Does a Vet Assistant Make?

How much does a veterinary assistant make? A veterinary assistant salary allows you to earn a solid living working closely with a variety of animals, a win-win in any animal lover’s book! The training takes about a year and allows you to compete for jobs in a variety of settings. Animal Behavior College’s certified veterinary assistants work in veterinary clinics, shelters, emergency vet hospitals, research labs, and wildlife facilities.

Depending on whom you ask, the average vet assistant salary can vary on average from $32,228 or to $36,855 or $37,016. Where you live determines how much you can expect to earn. According to Indeed the highest veterinary assistant salaries are in New York City, Seattle, and Chicago–all averaging more than $40,000 per year.

As you might expect, you can earn a higher assistant salary in a large metropolitan area as opposed to a small town or rural areaHowever, the cost of living will be quite a lot higher in a large city.

Is Location the Only Factor in a Veterinary Assistant Salary?

Vet assistant salaries vary depending on the type of facility in which you work. While the duties remain largely the same in any work setting, working in a veterinary clinic typically pays less than does a research facility or a lab in an educational institution.

Earn Your Vet Assistant Certification

While not a prerequisite for getting a veterinary assistant position, earning your vet assistant certification gives you an advantage over the competition. It tells potential employers that you are serious about the career and have a solid base of knowledge. Animal Behavior College requires students in the vet assistant program to complete a local externship, giving them the additional advantage of real world experience in a veterinary facility.

Enroll Any Time!

To learn more about becoming a certified veterinary assistant, call 800-795-3294 to speak to an admissions counselor. Because Animal Behavior College courses are online, you can get started any time!