Healthcare support · SOC 31-9096
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
BLS projects 132,100 jobs in 2025 to become 144,200 by 2035 — +9.1%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
+9.1%
projected change to 2035
About 12,000 more jobs
23,200
openings a year
17.6% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$38,150
median annual pay
Usually entered with: high school diploma or equivalent
2025 to 2035
Employment at the start and end of the projection, in jobs.
- 2025 employment132,100
- 2035 projected144,200
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025–2035 projections.
Other healthcare support occupations
The largest occupations in the same group, by projected change to 2035.
- Home health and personal care aides4,677,100+18.1%
- Nursing assistants1,505,900+2.6%
- Medical assistants833,900+12.9%
- Dental assistants388,600+7.4%
- Massage therapists155,400+15.3%
- Phlebotomists143,900+6.8%
- Physical therapist assistants114,100+23.0%
- Healthcare support workers, all other113,900+4.8%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.