Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker salary in Iowa
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker in Iowa earns a median of $35,720 a year ($17.17/hour equivalent), 6.4% below the national median of $38,150. Iowa ranks #42 of 51 states. About 1,380 people do this job in Iowa.
Take-home pay in Iowa
At the Iowa median, a single filer keeps about $30,175 a year after federal, FICA and Iowa taxes — $1,161 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the Iowa paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,373.85
- Federal income tax
- −$81.02
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$85.18
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$19.92
- Iowa income tax
- −$27.14
- Take-home pay
- $1,160.59
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $35,720
- Federal
- $2,106
- FICA
- $2,733
- State + local
- $706
- Net
- $30,175
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 3.8%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How Iowa compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rhode Island | $49,770 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $49,080 |
| #3 | Massachusetts | $46,670 |
| #4 | California | $46,260 |
| #5 | New Jersey | $46,160 |
| #42 | Iowa | $35,720 |
| #49 | West Virginia | $32,350 |
| #50 | Louisiana | $30,480 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $30,360 |
See the national veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (SOC 31-9096), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker make in Iowa?
The median salary is $35,720 a year and the average is $37,050 (BLS May 2025).
Is Iowa a good state for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers?
Iowa ranks #42 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 6% below the national median of $38,150.
What is $35,720 after taxes in Iowa?
About $30,175 a year ($1,161 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.