How long does veterinary assistant training take near San Diego?

Veterinary assistant certificate programs near San Diego typically take 6 to 12 months of full-time study, while associate degree programs generally run about 2 years. Actual completion time depends on schedule (full-time vs. part-time) and any prerequisite coursework.

How much do veterinary assistants earn in California?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), veterinary assistants in California earned a median annual wage of approximately $46,260. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $37,800 to $57,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

How many veterinary assistant schools are near San Diego?

San Diego County reports approximately 480 veterinary assistant related establishments employing about 5,300 workers (BLS QCEW, 2024). Compare the schools listed above for tuition, duration, and credential alignment with the local employer base.

Best Veterinary Assistant Programs in San Diego, California (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Quick answer: Veterinary assistants in California earn a median of $46,260 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited veterinary assistant schools near San Diego, California with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

Veterinary assistant training in San Diego, California prepares students for entry-level work across the wider California labor market. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $46,260 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

San Diego Quick Facts

Metric	Value	Source
State median annual wage	$46,260	BLS OEWS, May 2025
California pay range (10th to 90th percentile)	$37,800 to $57,940	BLS OEWS, May 2025
San Diego, CA metro median wage	$46,720	BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024 to 2034)	+8.7% growth, about 22,200 openings per year	BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
State employment	16,080 workers	BLS OEWS, May 2025
San Diego County establishments	480	BLS QCEW, 2024
San Diego County industry employment	5,300	BLS QCEW, 2024
San Diego County unemployment rate	4.3%	BLS LAUS, 2024
California location quotient	1.08	BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the Veterinary assistant Career

Veterinary assistant training in California: state licensing steps, training paths, and local pay.
Veterinary assistant career guide: national overview of certifications, salary, and job outlook.

What You’ll Find Below

The school listings below are sorted by proximity to San Diego. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the San Diego County and California figures above as a reference point when comparing program length, schedule, and tuition.

Vet Assistant Schools near San Diego

No schools in our database within 250 miles. If this is a mistake, contact us.

U.S. Median Pay $38,150 $18.34 per hour

Job Outlook 8.7% 10,300 jobs (2024–2034)
22,200 openings/yr

Popular Online Programs In California

Veterinary-Assistant Salary in U.S.

Median Salary $38,150 $18.34/hr

Average Salary $40,340 $19.39/hr

Salary Range

$30,120 10th pctl

$38,150 Median

$49,150 90th pctl

10th Percentile $30,120 $14.48/hr

25th Percentile $35,660 $17.15/hr

75th Percentile $45,710 $21.98/hr

90th Percentile $49,150 $23.63/hr

Employment & Outlook

Total Employed126,580

Growth (2024-2034)8.7%

Annual Openings22,200

Jobs per 1,0000.8

Next Steps

Return to the main guide: Trade schools in San Diego
See statewide options: Trade schools in California

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.