Veterinary assistants care for animals and assist with lab tests, treatment, and surgery.
| Quick Facts: Veterinary Assistants | |
|---|---|
| Wages | Earn $36,628 per year |
| Employment | Medium occupation |
| 10 Year Growth | Faster than average |
| Annual Openings | Moderate |
Preparation
A veterinary assistant typically needs to:
- have a high school diploma or equivalent
- complete short-term, on-the-job training
Working Conditions
In a typical work setting, veterinary assistants:
- Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with other staff and assist animal owners.
- Often work indoors, but may work outdoors while exercising animals.
- Must be exact in their work. Errors could endanger the health of animals or other staff.
- May work full time or part time, but most work 40 hours a week.
Wages
In Illinois, veterinary assistants earn a median wage of $36,628 per year.
| $0 | $50 | $100 | $150 | $200 |
| Illinois |
$ amounts are in thousands of dollars.
Employment and Outlook
In Illinois, 2,941 veterinary assistants work in this medium occupation.
| Location | Employment | 10 Year Growth | Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 2,941 Medium | 14.8% Fast | 548 Moderate |