How Much Do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Make in California?
Median wage from BLS May 2025 — and the after-tax number the salary sites skip. Tax year 2026.
Quick answer
According to payandtaxes.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data and 2026 tax law, the median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in California earns $46,260 per year and takes home $38,510 ($3,209/month) — a keep-rate of 83.2%, with 16,080 employed in the state.
Free. No signup. Single filer, standard deduction — full model.
| Gross pay | $3,855.00 |
| Federal income tax | $280.93 |
| Social Security | $239.01 |
| Medicare | $55.90 |
| California state income tax | $69.98 |
| You keep | $3,209.18 |
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in California?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in California earns $46,260 per year (BLS May 2025), about $22.24 per hour.
What is that after taxes?
$46,260 gross in California keeps $38,510 after federal income tax ($3,371), FICA ($3,539) and state income tax ($840) — $3,209 per month, a 83.2% keep-rate.
How does California compare to the national median for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
The California median is $8,110 above the national median of $38,150.
Which state pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median gross for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers at $49,770 — but compare take-home, not gross: state taxes change the order.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in every state · California paycheck calculator · California minimum wage