Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory animal caretakers generally receive short-term on-the-job training before they are capable of performing their job at an acceptable level. Industrial-organizational psychologists assess an organization’s employee needs and problems, develop measures for screening and hiring applicants, devise training programs, and implement systems for measuring productivity.
Veterinarian assistants in California earn a salary of $48,280 per year. The highest-paid vets are in San Mateo, where the median veterinary assistant salary is $63,000.
Veterinarian Assistant Salary In California Overview
If you’re looking to become a veterinary assistant, or if you’ve already decided that this is the career path for you, there are many factors to consider. First and foremost, it’s important to understand what kind of salary veterinary assistants make in California. The state has a number of different cities and regions that offer varying salaries for those working in this field.
The average annual income for veterinary assistants in California is $30,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the median annual wage for all veterinarians was $46,060 as of May 2017. California has an average cost of living index of 125.6 compared with 100 nationwide, meaning that goods and services are 25% more expensive than average throughout the state.
If you’re thinking about becoming a veterinarian assistant in California but don’t know where to start looking for jobs, we’ve put together this list of some of the best places for employment opportunities!
What a Veterinarian Assistant Does
Vet assistants are the staff working in animal clinics, hospitals, and shelters.
With more people adopting animals, the demand for a well-educated and skilled staff rises.
You don’t need to have any kind of formal education after high school to begin working.
Even so, getting educated is going to be your advantage.
That’s because vets tend to look for vet assistants able to perform complicated duties.
In a well-equipped vet clinic, you have to be skilled and knowledgeable to deal with the daily work.
Some of those duties are as follows:
- Assist during surgery
- Administer medications
- Take samples (e.g., blood) for lab testing
- Schedule appointments
- Advise pet owners
You’ll also have to operate technical machinery and lab equipment when needed.
As a vet assistant, you have to possess certain qualities, such as:
- Knowledge of animal care
- Good communication skills
- Emphatic and passionate
Note that when people come into the vet clinic, the first person they meet is you.
So being empathic and knowing the right words to say is important to ease their distress.
Education Requirements of a Veterinarian Assistant in California
Aspiring vet assistants should possess a high school diploma or GED equivalency.
The more years of practice you have, the better assistant you can become.
Still, it’s great to invest some in your continuing education.
To get more well acquainted with the tasks and duties of a vet assistant.
You can choose one of many certificate programs widely available through schools or online courses.
California offers vet assistant programs at the following educational institutions:
- Yuba College
- Modesto Junior College
- Pima Medical Institute – Chula Vista
You may also enroll in one offered by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
NAVTA offers the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) for people eager to get certified.
Some of the NAVTA-approved programs are:
- Animal Behavior College
- Northern Summit Academy
- College of the Desert
- CareerStep Veterinary Assisting Programs
A certificate will only be issued to you once you pass the AVA exam.
It’s normal for vet assistants to get a job immediately and put their knowledge into practice.
Your chances of getting a satisfying job are better if you possess a certification.
That’s because vets are always on the lookout for vet assistants who already:
- Know what they need to do
- Can work without he added supervision
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’s May 2020 report listed California with the highest employment level.
The state has opened 13,040 jobs for vet assistants, and this number will increase over the years.
And so, you won’t have to worry whether you can get employed here as there are plenty of choices.
California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has many job openings for vet assistants in the state.
The Veterinary Centers of America also are ideal places to start your rewarding career.
You can apply at the following branches:
- Venice Boulevard Animal Hospital
- Mission Viejo Animal Hospital
- Angel Animal Hospital
Also, Vetco Wellness Centers and Vaccination Clinics inside PETCO are well known for their relationships with vet schools.
You might consider your employment chances at their branches in:
- Fresno Petco
- Hollywood Petco
- Modesto Petco
- Sacramento Petco
Banfield Pet Hospital is another institution where you can try your luck finding a job.
You can go to their Clovis and Fresno offices for inquiries.
Veterinarian Assistant Salary In California
It’s worth mentioning that California offers above the national average annual salary to vet assistants.
Salary.com reported that the salary range falls between $28,585 and $42,793 as of February 2022.
And on average, a well-established vet assistant can earn $35,477 annually.
Take a look at the table below for the salary percentile.
| Percentile | Salary |
| 10% | $22,311 |
| 25% | $28,585 |
| 50% | $35,477 |
| 75% | $42,793 |
| 90% | $49,454 |
Note, however, that California cities have variations in salaries.
These are a result of taking into consideration several factors, such as:
- Area development
- Resident’s annual income
- Work you’re performing
The table below shows the salaries in different places within the state.
Average Annual Salary by Location
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $34,734 |
| San Diego | $33,175 |
| San Jose | $38,723 |
| San Francisco | $38,662 |
| Long Beach | $34,404 |
| Fresno | $30,917 |
| Sacramento | $33,351 |
| Oakland | $36,563 |
| Santa Ana | $34,434 |
| Anaheim | $34,481 |
Continuing Education for Veterinarian Assistant
The moment you get educated or certified shouldn’t be the moment when all your learning stops.
Quite the contrary.
You should keep on advancing your skills and knowledge for the sake of your career.
California has numerous resources that are designed to help further your veterinary education.
