Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker salary in Washington
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker in Washington earns a median of $44,150 a year ($21.23/hour equivalent), 15.7% above the national median of $38,150. Washington ranks #12 of 51 states. About 4,380 people do this job in Washington.
Take-home pay in Washington
At the Washington median, a single filer keeps about $37,042 a year after federal, FICA and Washington taxes — $1,425 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the Washington paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,698.08
- Federal income tax
- −$119.92
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$105.28
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$24.62
- Washington income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- WA Paid Family & Medical Leave
- −$13.71
- WA Cares Fund
- −$9.85
- Take-home pay
- $1,424.70
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $44,150
- Federal
- $3,118
- FICA
- $3,377
- State + local
- $612
- Net
- $37,042
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
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 Washington 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 |
| #12 | Washington | $44,150 |
| #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 Washington?
The median salary is $44,150 a year and the average is $45,170 (BLS May 2025).
Is Washington a good state for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers?
Washington ranks #12 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 16% above the national median of $38,150.
What is $44,150 after taxes in Washington?
About $37,042 a year ($1,425 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.