| Veterinary Technician Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Job Outlook | 20% |
If you’re passionate about animals and their well being, then you might like to become a veterinary technician.
These animal health specialists help veterinarians to perform an array of tasks, much like a nurse assists a doctor when it comes to human health.
Helping an animal return to health is very rewarding, particularly when you see the happiness a pet brings to a family.
It’s important to keep in mind that the work of a veterinarian is often also distressing, and even dangerous.
It’s vital to be able to keep distance and stay professional while at work.
Veterinary technicians work across a wide range of environments.
Some work with domestic animals, other with farm animals, while some work within zoos and aquariums.
Job opportunities in this field are excellent.
Table of Contents
Education Requirements to Become a Veterinary Technician
If you are interested in working as a veterinary technician, you should take math and science subjects at school.
To become a veterinary technician, you will need to complete a two year associates degree.
It’s important to make sure your school is accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association.
Accredited programs combine a variety of theoretical classroom work with clinical work with animals.
There are also four year programs available which allow a graduate to work as a veterinary technologist.
Despite the extra training involved, there is little discernible difference between the duties of a veterinary technician and a veterinary technologist.
While the requirements differ slightly, in all states veterinary technicians must be licensed.
Licensing usually consists of sitting the National Veterinary Technician Exam or VTNE.
A veterinary technician will also complete a traineeship under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian.
A veterinary technician must also develop skills in other areas.
Communication skills are essential since they are often called upon to deliver difficult news to animal owners.
They must also keep in close contact with veterinarians and co-workers.
In some instances, veterinary technicians will complete administrative or accounts based duties, such as invoicing customer and collecting payment.
Veterinary Technician Job Description
When you become a veterinary technician you will work in a clinic or animal hospital.
Here you will perform a range of clinical and laboratory tasks under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Technicians will often complete tasks like taking an animal’s history when they are brought to a clinic.
They will weigh an animal, and check for any outwards signs of injury, disease, or apply first aid.
Other tasks a veterinary technician might complete include cleaning an animal’s teeth, taking samples, or changing dressings.
They may administer medication prescribed by a veterinarian.
Veterinary technicians also perform other types of duties.
They may take and develop x-rays, analyze blood and urine samples, and in some instances form a diagnosis and prescribe a treatment plan for an animal.
Veterinary Technician Salary and Career Path
When you first become a veterinary technician, you will start working as a trainee under supervision.
With experience, you’ll be given more responsibilities.
Many go on to work with very little supervision later in their career.
Most veterinary technicians work a forty hour week.
Some weekend and evening work is required in particular clinics.
Most work in a veterinary clinic or hospital, while others may work on farms, or in zoos and aquariums.
Some veterinary technicians will undertake further training to become veterinary technologists, or full veterinarians.
Other will go on to work in other fields, for instance research into animal health.
Some may go to work in animal shelters, or for animal welfare agencies.
Job prospects and employment opportunities are good in this field, and should continue to stay this way.
The exception to the rule are at zoos, where competition for jobs is much higher.
The median salary for a veterinary technician in $28,000 a year.
The top 10% of earners made more than $41,000 a year.
Some similar careers that you might be interested in include:
- Veterinarian
- Registered nurse
- Marine biologist
- Animal control workers
- Animal trainer
If you love animals, and want to spend your career working with them, then you might like to become a veterinary technician.
This can be a very rewarding career path for those who are passionate about what they do.
The below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.
National Average Salary
$44,040Average Salary by State
| State | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $33,750 |
| Alaska | $45,510 |
| Arizona | $41,410 |
| Arkansas | $34,450 |
| California | $55,740 |
| Colorado | $46,240 |
| Connecticut | $48,980 |
| Delaware | $42,630 |
| District of Columbia | $56,420 |
| Florida | $41,640 |
| Georgia | $40,390 |
| Hawaii | $44,150 |
| Idaho | $38,400 |
| Illinois | $44,670 |
| Indiana | $41,280 |
| Iowa | $41,530 |
| Kansas | $38,940 |
| Kentucky | $35,370 |
| Louisiana | $31,810 |
| Maine | $47,560 |
| Maryland | $45,160 |
| Massachusetts | $48,270 |
| Michigan | $46,310 |
| Minnesota | $46,080 |
| Mississippi | $33,990 |
| Missouri | $38,600 |
| Montana | $39,590 |
| Nebraska | $40,040 |
| Nevada | $46,830 |
| New Hampshire | $46,860 |
| New Jersey | $47,100 |
| New Mexico | $39,070 |
| New York | $55,540 |
| North Carolina | $44,580 |
| North Dakota | $40,540 |
| Ohio | $40,660 |
| Oklahoma | $36,540 |
| Oregon | $44,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,250 |
| Rhode Island | $42,510 |
| South Carolina | $41,460 |
| South Dakota | $41,200 |
| Tennessee | $38,250 |
| Texas | $37,560 |
| Utah | $39,370 |
| Vermont | $43,080 |
| Virginia | $50,980 |
| Washington | $54,460 |
| West Virginia | $33,910 |
| Wisconsin | $43,770 |
| Wyoming | $35,600 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,710 |
The top earning state in the field is District of Columbia, where the average salary is $56,420.
These are the top 5 highest-paying states in the field:
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a veterinary technician do?
A veterinary technician (or a veterinary technologist) is a specialist who helps the veterinarian diagnose the illnesses and injuries of various animals and treat them.
Veterinary technicians work in animal hospitals, zoos, laboratories, and private clinics.
The typical duties of the specialist usually include observing the condition and behavior of animals; administering anesthesia and monitoring the responses; providing nursing care or emergency first aid; collecting laboratory samples (urine, blood, tissue…); performing laboratory tests; taking and developing x-rays; preparing instruments and animals for surgery, and so on.
Veterinary technician can specialize in a certain discipline – anesthesia, dental technology, zoological medicine, emergency and critical care, etc.
In most cases, veterinary technicians work with small-animal practitioners who care for dogs and cats.
How much do veterinary technicians make?
On average, a veterinary technician can make a little more than $32.000 per year in the United States.
In case you decide to follow this career path, you can expect to earn anywhere between $22.000 and $47.000 annually.
The salary would certainly depend on a variety of factors – your education and experience level, the employer, the location and so on.
The veterinary technicians that work in Nevada, Massachusetts, and New York, for example, have the highest average salaries.
An entry-level veterinary technician can earn $10 per hour, while a specialist with plenty of experience will make $23 and more.
How much does it cost to become a veterinary technician?
You would certainly need a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology, in order to become a veterinary technician.
You can also go for an associate’s degree in animal sciences, biology, zoology, or a related field.
A year in a university can cost you anywhere between $8.000 and $45.000 (and more); the cost depends on a variety of factors (the books, supplies, and accommodation expenses are not included).
Depending on the state, you must also acquire a license, get certified or registered.
To become certified, you would need to pass the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science examination ($160-$335).
What is the demand for veterinary technicians?
Between 2016 and 2026, the veterinary technician job market is expected to grow by 20%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
That is a lot faster than the national average for all occupations in the United States.
Specialists in pathology, laboratory medicine, and toxicology will be in high demand in metropolitan areas.
The competition in the industry is high; bear in mind that candidates with specializations will have better job prospects.
The industry is mainly concentrated in Florida, Texas, and California.
How long does it take to become a veterinary technician?
It will take you 2 years to acquire an associate’s degree and 4 years to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Volunteering at various organizations and seeking internship opportunities will be extremely helpful for your future career.
You will be required to have work experience in an animal facility or a laboratory and pass the AALAS examination, in order to become certified.
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