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Animal Lab Assistant Jobs in Amherst, MA (NOW HIRING)

Veterinary Practice Partners

Veterinarian

Suffield, CT · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

... small animal and exotic caseload. The ideal candidate is comfortable with canine and feline ... Currently, our team consists of 5 DVMs, 6 licensed technicians, 6 veterinary assistants, 6 CSRs ...

Veterinary Practice Partners

Veterinarian

Suffield, CT · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

... small animal and exotic caseload. The ideal candidate is comfortable with canine and feline ... Currently, our team consists of 5 DVMs, 6 licensed technicians, 6 veterinary assistants, 6 CSRs ...

Veterinary Practice Partners

Veterinarian

Suffield, CT

$130K - $150K/yr

... small animal and exotic caseload. The ideal candidate is comfortable with canine and feline ... Currently, our team consists of 5 DVMs, 6 licensed technicians, 6 veterinary assistants, 6 CSRs ...

Pet Supplies Plus

Store Shift Supervisor

Athol, MA · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

... * assist a neighbor in choosing the perfect toy for a lab who loves to fetch * stop to greet ... Adhering to operational policies and procedures (cleanliness, animal care, safety and security ...

Pet Supplies Plus

Store Shift Supervisor

Athol, MA · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

... * assist a neighbor in choosing the perfect toy for a lab who loves to fetch * stop to greet ... Adhering to operational policies and procedures (cleanliness, animal care, safety and security ...

Pet Supplies Plus

Store Shift Supervisor

Athol, MA

$17 - $18/hr

... * assist a neighbor in choosing the perfect toy for a lab who loves to fetch * stop to greet ... Adhering to operational policies and procedures (cleanliness, animal care, safety and security ...

All JobsAnimal Lab JobsAnimal Lab Assistant JobsAnimal Lab Assistant Jobs in Amherst, MA

Animal Lab Assistant information

See Amherst, MA salary details

$10

$19

$29

How much do animal lab assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal lab assistant in Amherst, MA is $19.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $22.74 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal lab assistant?

Animal Lab Assistants are professionals who support scientific research by caring for laboratory animals and maintaining their living environments. They are responsible for feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal health, and assisting researchers with experiments. Their work ensures that animals are treated ethically and that experiments are conducted in a safe, controlled environment. Animal Lab Assistants may also help with maintaining records and administering medications as directed by veterinarians or researchers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal lab assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Lab Assistant, you need a foundational understanding of animal care, handling procedures, and basic laboratory techniques, often supported by a relevant certification or associate degree in animal science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, data recording systems, and compliance regulations such as IACUC protocols is typically expected. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively are essential soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure the well-being of laboratory animals, the accuracy of research data, and adherence to ethical and safety standards.

What are some common challenges faced by animal lab assistants, and how can they be managed?

Animal Lab Assistants often face challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to protocols, handling animals with care under potentially stressful conditions, and managing time efficiently between various tasks like feeding, cleaning, and record-keeping. To manage these challenges, it's helpful to develop strong organizational skills, stay up to date on animal care guidelines, and communicate effectively with research staff and veterinarians. Regular training and working closely within the team can also help ensure both animal welfare and research integrity are maintained.

What is the difference between Animal Lab Assistant vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectAnimal Lab AssistantVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingAssociate's degree in veterinary technology; certification often required
Work EnvironmentResearch laboratories, animal care facilitiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research labs
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, pharmaceutical companiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research facilities
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Animal Lab Assistants primarily support research labs and animal care in laboratory settings, often with minimal formal credentials. Veterinary Technicians work in veterinary clinics or hospitals, requiring specialized education and certification. While both roles involve animal care, Veterinary Technicians typically have more advanced training and perform clinical procedures, whereas Animal Lab Assistants focus on supporting research activities.

What are popular job titles related to Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Amherst, MA?

For Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Amherst, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Amherst, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Amherst, MA are:

What cities near Amherst, MA are hiring for Animal Lab Assistant jobs?

Cities near Amherst, MA with the most Animal Lab Assistant job openings:

Animal Lab Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Lab Assistant job openings in Amherst, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,476 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Certified Veterinary Technician

VCA Animal Hospitals

Athol, MA

$22 - $27/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago

VCA Animal Hospitals rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 660 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 52 rated veterinary

Job description

VCA Adams Animal Hospital is seeking a Full time Certified Veterinary Technician, to join our fully-equipped, AAHA-Certified veterinary hospital. Experienced veterinary assistants welcome to apply.

Our Veterinary Hospital provides top quality medical services, wellness exams, preventative care, vaccines, diagnostic services, ultrasounds, spays, neuters, dental procedures and soft tissue surgeries. Our entire staff will do all we can to help your pet enjoy a happy and healthy life.

We work hard to deliver the best medical care to each patient, and we are excited to welcome a like-minded professional to the team!

Why Join the VCA Adams Family?

We are passionate about supporting our veterinary assistants and technicians and are committed to your continuing education and personal career development.  At VCA Animal Hospitals, we are committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity and strive to be a place where a talented mix of people want to come, stay, and do their best work.  We support a work environment where you can focus on your career, happiness, and the patients you serve.

Schedule: Full time - Saturday rotation required

Compensation: $22 - $27 / hr is based on skill set, experience, and licensure status.

Some of the benefits we offer:

  • Access to the people and financial resources of a large veterinary community
  • Growth & leadership opportunities
  • Career development programs
  • Veterinary Technology degree tuition support and scholarships
  • Veterinary Technician license reimbursement
  • Medical, dental & vision insurance
  • Generous hospital discounts and product discounts
  • Employer-paid life, long- and short-term disability insurance
  • Paid vacation and sick time
  • Paid parental leave
  • 401(k)
  • Free mental health resources and wellness subscriptions (Headspace)
  • Referral bonuses
  • Competitive wage
  • Opportunities to give back through strong Shelter partnerships and VCA Charities
  • Full-time and Part-time positions available

Why We Want You

As a member of the VCA team, you will help create and maintain a positive, low-stress atmosphere for our clients and patients. Your mission will be to win the confidence of every pet parent—by delivering an outstanding client experience—so we can provide exceptional care to every patient. 

Whether you are a seasoned Veterinary Assistant or a Technician in training, we want you to use the knowledge that you’ve invested your time and talent in. The skills that will be utilized include, but are not limited to:

  • Compassionate patient care
  • Client education and care
  • Pharmacy and medication administration
  • Lab sample collection and processing
  • Diagnostic imaging
  • Surgical preparation and assisting
  • Anesthesia monitoring
  • Dentistry
  • Medical recordkeeping


 

Ready to grow with a collaborative and supportive team?  Apply now- We look forward to hearing from you!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!
The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com

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