New Mexico ranks 32nd of 51 states and D.C. for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers pay, trailing top-paying Rhode Island ($48,050) by $12,450 — a 35% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $28,920 to $44,910 — a $15,990 spread, 16% tighter than the national $18,990 range.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are less concentrated in New Mexico than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.73 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.37× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $28,920 | $13.90 |
| 25th percentile | $30,130 | $14.49 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,600 | $17.12 |
| 75th percentile | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| Mean (average) | $35,320 | $16.98 |
How New Mexico Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico (current) | $35,600 | n/a |
| Rhode Island | $48,050 | +35% |
| Massachusetts | $45,480 | +28% |
| California | $45,470 | +28% |
| Maine | $44,080 | +24% |
| Minnesota | $43,670 | +23% |
| Washington | $43,590 | +22% |
| District of Columbia | $43,580 | +22% |
| Maryland | $43,520 | +22% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in New Mexico
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,540 | 200 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,670 | 15,800 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $35,520 | 150 |
| Residential Advisors | $35,710 | 710 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $35,490 | 210 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $35,740 | 4,890 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in New Mexico?
The mean veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers salary in New Mexico is $35,320 per year. The median (middle) salary is $35,600 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in New Mexico?
Entry-level veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakerss (10th percentile) in New Mexico typically earn around $28,920 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $30,130 per year.
What is the highest Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in New Mexico?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in New Mexico make approximately $44,910 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $36,830 per year.
How does the New Mexico Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary compare to the national average?
The median veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers salary in New Mexico is $35,600, which is -5% below national average of $37,320.