What Does a Veterinary Assistant Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a veterinary assistant do?

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers feed, bathe and exercise animals, restrain them during exams, clean kennels and help with basic care. The median pay is $38,150 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2–8 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +9.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$38,150
$18.34/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+9.1%
2025–35, much faster than average
Openings per year
23,200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
2–8 weeks
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
132,100
Employment, 2025

What veterinary assistants do

Veterinary assistants keep clinics running. They restrain animals, help with exams, clean kennels and equipment, feed and walk patients, prepare surgical instruments, give basic care as directed and help clients. Laboratory animal caretakers care for animals in research facilities.

Most assistants learn on the job, and some complete short certificate programs. It is a great way to start in animal care and move toward becoming a vet tech.

Typical duties

Restrain animals for exams and procedures
Clean kennels and exam rooms
Feed, water and walk animals
Sterilize instruments
Help with admissions and discharges
Monitor hospitalized patients
Assist with basic care

Work environment and schedule

Assistants work in clinics, hospitals, shelters and research labs. The work is physical and messy.

Schedule: Shifts include weekends, evenings and holidays.

A day in the life

7:00 AMClean kennels and feed hospitalized patients.
8:00 AMWalk dogs and check on post-op patients.
9:00 AMRestrain pets for exams.
11:00 AMSterilize surgical packs.

See a full day in the life of a veterinary assistant →

Veterinary Assistant salary

Half of veterinary assistants earned more than $38,150 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $30,120 for the lowest 10% to $49,150 for the top 10%.

$30,12010th$38,150Median$49,15090th

Full veterinary assistant pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a veterinary assistant

Gain animal experience
Get hired at a clinic
Earn a certificate
Learn new skills
Advance

A high school diploma is typical. Assistants learn on the job; certificate programs are available.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a veterinary assistant →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Animal restraint
Kennel sanitation
Instrument sterilization
Basic animal care
Patient monitoring

People skills

Compassion
Reliability
Teamwork
Calmness

All veterinary assistant skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Quick entry
Work with animals
Path to vet tech
Team environment

Cons

Modest pay
Messy, physical work
Bites and scratches
Emotional cases

Certifications and licenses

NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA): Certification for vet assistants.
Fear Free certification: Low-stress handling.
Pet CPR and first aid: Emergency training.
AALAS certification: For lab animal caretakers.

Career path

Kennel Assistant: Clean and care.
Veterinary Assistant: Assist with exams.
Veterinary Technician: Earn credentials.
Practice Manager: Lead operations.

Learn the job before day one

Our Veterinary Assistant training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as clean a kennel and restrain a cat safely, safety and how to land your first job.

View Veterinary Assistant training Is this career right for me?

Veterinary Technician

Care for animals as the nurses of veterinary medicine.

$47,380
2 years

Animal Caretaker

Feed, groom, exercise and care for pets and animals.

$35,360
1–4 weeks (longer for grooming)

Animal Control Officer

Protect people and animals by enforcing animal laws and rescuing animals in need.

$45,660
1–3 months

Animal Trainer

Teach animals behaviors for companionship, service, work and shows.

$39,990
6 months–2 years

Compare: Vet Assistant vs. Vet Tech · Vet Assistant vs. Animal Caretaker · Vet Assistant vs. Animal Control Officer · Vet Assistant vs. Animal Trainer

Veterinary Assistant FAQ

Do vet assistants need certification?

Not always, but it helps.

Is this a path to vet tech?

Yes, many assistants go on to vet tech programs.

Is the job physical?

Yes, with lifting and cleaning.

How much does a veterinary assistant make?

The median annual wage for veterinary assistants was $38,150 ($18.34 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,120 and the highest 10% earned more than $49,150.

How long does it take to become a veterinary assistant?

Most people need about 2–8 weeks of training. A high school diploma is typical. Assistants learn on the job; certificate programs are available.

Do you need a degree to be a veterinary assistant?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 31-9096 (Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Veterinary Assistant