How to Become A Veterinary Assistant in Georgia

Georgia employs approximately 4,570 veterinary assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,850 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 Georgia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Georgia

How to become a veterinary assistant in Georgia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for veterinary assistants in Georgia.

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 Georgia? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in Georgia is $35,850 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,210 and experienced professionals can earn $44,810 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 (Georgia): $35,850 per year 1

Veterinary Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Georgia

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Wages by Metro Area in Georgia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers wages in Georgia vary by metro area.

Metro Area Employment Median Annual Wage Avg. Annual Wage Entry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell 2,880 $36,110 $37,410 $29,220 $45,360
Chattanooga 340 $36,170 $35,580 $30,020 $42,810
Augusta-Richmond County 220 $36,570 $36,320 $27,830 $45,190
Savannah 190 $35,770 $35,680 $29,340 $45,220
Athens-Clarke County 160 $34,020 $34,250 $30,250 $42,300
Columbus 110 $31,000 $31,980 $25,990 $38,320
Gainesville 90 $36,020 $39,500 $33,000 $49,980
Warner Robins 80 $35,320 $35,480 $30,060 $42,900
Brunswick-St. Simons 50 $34,660 $34,960 $28,190 $43,110
Macon-Bibb County 50 $34,390 $34,140 $28,650 $42,970
Rome 50 $34,050 $34,420 $29,660 $42,520

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 .

Top Metros for Veterinary assistants in Georgia

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary assistant employment within Georgia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area Employment Median Annual Wage
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell 2,880 $36,110
Augusta-Richmond County 220 $36,570
Savannah 190 $35,770
Athens-Clarke County 160 $34,020
Columbus 110 $31,000

Explore More Trades in Georgia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for veterinary assistants in Georgia? Georgia currently employs approximately 4,570 veterinary assistants 1. Nationally, veterinary assistant employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Georgia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Georgia.

How much do veterinary assistants earn in Georgia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in Georgia is $35,850, which is $1,470 below 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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. 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.

DataProviderVintage
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)