2. Maine
$29,314
Avg. Salary
Lab animal caretakers are also known as lab animal technicians. They provide daily care for the animals in medical and scientific labs. This includes feeding them, cleaning their cages, and observing their general behaviors. These professionals spend a lot of time around these animals, and so, they make direct and indirect contributions to the research process.
Laboratory animal caretakers also sterilize lab equipment to be used on the animals. They disinfect the cages, prepare animal blood and tissue samples, and aid the scientists in whatever animal-related help they need.
As a laboratory animal caretaker, they are supervised by the head scientist in the lab. They're required to perform other research-inclined tasks like developing radiographs, recording the animal's history, and administering medication.
To become a laboratory animal caretaker, applicants need a high school diploma or a two-year associate's degree in animal care and veterinary fields. The career path can be highly variable, so people with different educational backgrounds may also qualify. They'll also need to be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers look after animals in laboratories, animal hospitals, and clinics. They care for the animals by performing routine tasks under the supervision of scientists, veterinarians, and veterinary technologists and technicians.
DutiesVeterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers typically do the following:
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are responsible for many daily tasks, such as feeding, weighing, and taking the temperature of animals. Other duties may include giving medication, cleaning cages, and providing nursing care before and after surgery and other medical procedures.
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers play a large role in helping veterinarians and animal scientists with surgery and other minor procedures. They may prepare equipment and pass surgical instruments and materials to veterinarians during surgery. They also move animals and restrain them during testing and other procedures.
Veterinary assistants typically work in clinics and animal hospitals, helping veterinarians and veterinary technologists and technicians treat injuries and illnesses of animals.
Laboratory animal caretakers work in laboratories under the supervision of a veterinarian, scientist, veterinary technician, or veterinary technologist. Their daily tasks include feeding animals, cleaning kennels, and monitoring the animals.
Most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers have a high school diploma and learn the occupation on the job. Experience working with animals can be helpful for jobseekers.
EducationMost workers entering the occupation have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
TrainingMost veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are trained on the job, but some employers prefer candidates who already have experience working with animals.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsAlthough certification is not mandatory, it allows workers to demonstrate competency in animal husbandry, health and welfare, and facility administration. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have certification, and it may be required for advancement.
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) offers the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) designation for veterinary assistants. To qualify for the designation, candidates must graduate from a NAVTA-approved program and pass an exam.
Laboratory animal caretakers can become certified through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). AALAS offers three levels of certification: Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT), and Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG). For AALAS certification, candidates must have experience working in a laboratory animal facility and pass an exam.
Important QualitiesCommunication skills. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers often communicate with pet owners, veterinarians, veterinary technologists and technicians, and other assistants. Good communication skills are especially important when dealing with an emergency, such as an ill or injured animal needing immediate attention.
Detail oriented. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers must follow strict instructions. For example, workers must be precise when sterilizing surgical equipment, monitoring animals, and giving medication.
Dexterity. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers must handle animals and use medical instruments and laboratory equipment with care.
Empathy. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers must treat animals with kindness and be empathetic to both the animals and their owners.
Physical strength. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers must be able to handle, move, and restrain animals.
Tell us your goals and we'll match you with the right jobs to get there.
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a laboratory animal caretaker can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as vet assistant, progress to a title such as technician and then eventually end up with the title warehouse manager.
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Designing and figuring out what to include on your resume can be tough, not to mention time-consuming. That's why we put together a guide that is designed to help you craft the perfect resume for becoming a Laboratory Animal Caretaker. If you're needing extra inspiration, take a look through our selection of templates that are specific to your job.
Learn How To Write a Laboratory Animal Caretaker Resume
At Zippia, we went through countless Laboratory Animal Caretaker resumes and compiled some information about how best to optimize them. Here are some suggestions based on what we found, divided by the individual sections of the resume itself.
View Detailed InformationIthaca, NY • Private
Gainesville, FL • Public
Minneapolis, MN • Public
Champaign, IL • Public
Blacksburg, VA • Public
Columbus, OH • Public
Fresno, CA • Public
University Park, PA • Public
Dover, DE • Public
Stanford, CA • Private
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 29.5% of laboratory animal caretakers listed animal care on their resume, but soft skills such as communication skills and manual dexterity are important as well.
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a laboratory animal caretaker. The best states for people in this position are Alaska, Oregon, Maine, and New Hampshire. Laboratory animal caretakers make the most in Alaska with an average salary of $33,135. Whereas in Oregon and Maine, they would average $31,202 and $29,313, respectively. While laboratory animal caretakers would only make an average of $29,221 in New Hampshire, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. Alaska
$33,135
Avg. Salary
2. Maine
$29,314
Avg. Salary
3. New Hampshire
$29,221
Avg. Salary