How to Become A Veterinary Assistant in Idaho

Idaho employs approximately 680 veterinary assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,530 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 Idaho, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Assistant in Idaho

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

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 Idaho? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in Idaho is $37,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $24,230 and experienced professionals can earn $44,730 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 (Idaho): $37,530 per year 1

Veterinary Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

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

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers wages in Idaho vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Boise City310$37,890$37,920$26,670$44,720
Coeur d'Alene80$37,670$38,160$29,140$47,960
Idaho Falls60$37,180$35,400$23,130$45,420
Logan40$31,890$33,270$31,460$36,960
Lewiston30$39,160$38,800$34,650$42,890
Pocatello30$36,360$36,120$29,780$42,230

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 Idaho

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Boise City310$37,890
Coeur d’Alene80$37,670
Idaho Falls60$37,180
Lewiston30$39,160
Pocatello30$36,360

Explore More Trades in Idaho

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for veterinary assistants in Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 680 veterinary assistants 1. Nationally, veterinary assistant employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

How much do veterinary assistants earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in Idaho is $37,530, which is $210 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


  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 StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)