Hiring guide · Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care
How to Hire a Veterinary Assistant
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring veterinary assistants, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $38,150), recruit through agricultural, horticulture and veterinary technology programs, verify NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for veterinary assistants
There are about 132,100 veterinary assistants employed in the U.S., with roughly 23,200 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +9.1% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $30,120–$35,660 | $14.48–$17.14 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $49,150 | $23.63 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Animal restraint
- Compassion
Nice-to-haves
- NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA)
- Fear Free certification
- Pet CPR and first aid
- Experience with leashes and muzzles
Where to find veterinary assistants
- Agricultural, horticulture and veterinary technology programs
- FFA, 4-H and community college networks
- Seasonal worker programs and labor contractors
- Referrals from current crew members
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Animal Care Assistant, Kennel Technician, Lab Animal Caretaker, Veterinary Aide
Screening checklist
- Driver’s license and CDL where hauling is required
- Pesticide applicator license or certification where required
- Practical equipment or animal-handling check
- Physical ability to work outdoors and lift as required
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why animal care?”
What a strong answer includes: Show passion.
2. “How do you handle a scared animal?”
What a strong answer includes: Calm handling.
3. “Are you comfortable cleaning?”
What a strong answer includes: Be honest.
4. “Can you work weekends?”
What a strong answer includes: Be honest.
5. “Do you want to become a vet tech?”
What a strong answer includes: Share goals.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Clean a Kennel (see the steps)
- Restrain a Cat Safely (see the steps)
- Sterilize Surgical Packs (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Restraint, Kennel, Autoclave
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Veterinary Assistant 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Veterinary Assistant training. Show them the path forward: Kennel Assistant → Veterinary Assistant → Veterinary Technician → Practice Manager.
Hiring veterinary assistants: FAQ
How much should I pay a veterinary assistant?
The U.S. median wage for veterinary assistants is $38,150 per year ($18.34/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($35,660), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($45,710). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a veterinary assistant have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) and Fear Free certification where relevant, plus skills such as animal restraint, kennel sanitation, and instrument sterilization.
How long does it take to train a new veterinary assistant?
Becoming qualified typically takes 2–8 weeks. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”