How to Become A Veterinary Assistant in California
California employs approximately 16,080 veterinary assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,260 1. Nationally, veterinary assistant employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 22,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a veterinary assistant in California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Assistant in California
How do I become a veterinary assistant in California? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for veterinary assistants in California.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do veterinary assistants earn in California? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in California is $46,260 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,800 and experienced professionals can earn $57,940 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (California): $46,260 per year 1
Veterinary Assistant Wages by Metro Area in California
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 4,830 | $46,070 | $46,530 | $37,990 | $57,760 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 2,150 | $49,400 | $52,120 | $43,820 | $59,210 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 1,970 | $46,720 | $46,530 | $37,850 | $57,400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 1,740 | $46,990 | $50,260 | $38,340 | $60,780 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,270 | $44,810 | $43,670 | $36,930 | $54,160 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 620 | $49,210 | $52,310 | $44,820 | $58,340 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 480 | $45,530 | $44,760 | $37,400 | $56,090 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 350 | $47,270 | $47,490 | $39,420 | $58,370 |
| Fresno | 230 | $44,040 | $42,660 | $36,220 | $53,480 |
| Modesto | 230 | $45,560 | $44,580 | $37,570 | $56,200 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 210 | $45,490 | $45,080 | $37,580 | $55,880 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 200 | $47,150 | $48,250 | $39,100 | $58,510 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 180 | $39,850 | $41,810 | $36,320 | $47,650 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 170 | $43,270 | $43,250 | $37,220 | $46,540 |
| Salinas | 160 | $46,990 | $46,350 | $38,260 | $57,070 |
| Vallejo | 130 | $46,590 | $45,390 | $38,590 | $49,990 |
| Chico | 120 | $43,830 | $43,490 | $36,530 | $49,230 |
| Redding | 80 | $43,930 | $43,460 | $36,090 | $53,990 |
| Visalia | 70 | $38,410 | $41,170 | $35,620 | $47,940 |
| Merced | 50 | $40,040 | $42,690 | $36,620 | $51,850 |
| Napa | 50 | $45,710 | $47,640 | $39,920 | $60,790 |
| Yuba City | 50 | $45,490 | $43,920 | $36,960 | $54,830 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Veterinary assistants in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary assistant employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 4,830 | $46,070 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 2,150 | $49,400 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 1,970 | $46,720 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 1,740 | $46,990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,270 | $44,810 |
Explore More Trades in California
- Electrician in California
- Plumber in California
- HVAC Technician in California
- Welder in California
- Carpenter in California
- Solar Installation Technician in California
- Auto Mechanic in California
- CNC Machinist in California
- Certified Nursing Assistant in California
- Medical Assistant in California
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary assistants in California? California currently employs approximately 16,080 veterinary assistants 1. Nationally, veterinary assistant employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California.
How much do veterinary assistants earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in California is $46,260, which is $8,940 above the national median of $37,320 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |