Veterinary Technician Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Veterinary technicians learn their skills through formal training programs. Most of them have a 2-year associate’s degree from an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited community college. Colleges teach in clinical and laboratory settings using live animals. There are 16 four-year colleges and universities offering veterinary technology programs in animal care, animal nutrition, veterinary anatomy, laboratory techniques, animal husbandry and animal care. Several schools offer distance learning. In 2006, 131 veterinary technology programs in 44 States were accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Graduation from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program allows students to take the credential exam in any state in the country.
Training and Education
Obtaining an associate degree will help job seekers. Employees with four or more years of college are 16% of the total. An estimated 57% of veterinary technicians attended college at some level but did not pursue a 4-year degree. High school was enough education for 27% of workers.
Job Overview
Veterinary technicians perform various animal healthcare duties to help veterinarians. There duties are similar as that of a nurse, including routine laboratory and clinical procedures. They document their work by making notes in charts of treatment, lab tests and their observations of animals. They also maintain inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies. Some technologists and technicians perform a variety of office duties, such as answering phones and preparing bills for customers. Besides working in private clinics and animal hospitals, veterinary technicians may work in research facilities. They administer medications orally or topically, prepare samples for laboratory examinations and record information on an animal’s genealogy, diet, weight, medication, food intake and clinical signs of pain and distress.
Job Requirements
Communication skills are very important for veterinary technicians as they often deal with pet owners. They should be able to work well with others as they mostly wok in teams. Organizational ability and the ability to pay attention to details also are important.
All states require the veterinary technicians to pass an exam. Passing the state exam assures the public that the technician has sufficient knowledge to work in a veterinary clinic or hospital. Employers recommend American Association for Laboratory Animal Science certification for those seeking employment in a research facility. Work experience must be directly related to the maintenance, health and well-being of laboratory animals and must be gained in a laboratory animal facility as defined by AALAS.
Nature of Work
Veterinary technicians prepare animals to be checked by the veterinarian. Their work includes setting up and cleaning exam and treatment rooms, holding animals during exams, treatments or shots, teaching pet owners about medications, illnesses and general care. They take x-rays, give medicines, provide emergency first-aid, draw blood, collect tissue samples and do laboratory work. They may also have to prepare animals for surgery and help veterinarians during operations.
Area Job Conditions
Where are jobs most numerous? Fort Collins (Colorado), Athens (Georgia), and Gainesville (Florida). Least common? Baton Rouge (Louisiana), Washington (District of Columbia), and St. Louis (Missouri).
Salaries vary across the country, from highest in Oakland (California), Poughkeepsie (New York), and Jefferson City (Missouri) to lowest in Albany (Georgia), Wheeling (West Virginia), and Tuscaloosa (Alabama).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Whether by choice or necessity, 21% of veterinary technicians work part-time.
Career Videos
Veterinary Technicians by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $38,000 | 80 | +265% |
| Huntsville | $25,000 | 110 | -5% |
| Mobile | $25,000 | 30 | -69% |
| Montgomery | $29,000 | 30 | -67% |
| Tuscaloosa | $23,000 | 40 | -16% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $36,000 | 140 | +52% |
| Fairbanks | $37,000 | 30 | +94% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $28,000 | 50 | +75% |
| Kingman | $29,000 | 50 | +112% |
| Phoenix | $30,000 | 1,370 | +35% |
| Prescott | $28,000 | 90 | +230% |
| Tucson | $29,000 | 360 | +86% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $33,000 | 130 | -34% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $30,000 | 70 | -52% |
| Chico | $32,000 | 50 | +39% |
| Fresno | $32,000 | 100 | -45% |
| Los Angeles | $35,000 | 1,550 | -34% |
| Modesto | $25,000 | 190 | +123% |
| Oakland | $33,000 | 810 | +41% |
| Oxnard | $35,000 | 430 | +157% |
| Riverside | $33,000 | 750 | +8% |
| Sacramento | $45,000 | 750 | +51% |
| San Diego | $37,000 | 750 | 0% |
| San Francisco | $40,000 | 700 | +23% |
| San Luis Obispo | $32,000 | 170 | +246% |
| Santa Ana | $32,000 | 1,520 | +81% |
| Santa Barbara | $39,000 | 110 | +19% |
| Santa Cruz | $38,000 | 80 | +74% |
| Stockton | $34,000 | 90 | -23% |
| Vallejo | $33,000 | 40 | -38% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $28,000 | 190 | +126% |
| Colorado Springs | $29,000 | 230 | +63% |
| Denver | $31,000 | 1,180 | +64% |
| Fort Collins | $29,000 | 400 | +488% |
| Grand Junction | $25,000 | 70 | +142% |
| Greeley | $28,000 | 120 | +218% |
| Pueblo | $29,000 | 30 | +4% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $37,000 | 250 | +3% |
| Danbury | $32,000 | 70 | +99% |
| Hartford | $42,000 | 390 | +19% |
| New Haven | $33,000 | 220 | +44% |
| Norwich | $30,000 | 60 | -9% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $29,000 | 210 | +14% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $36,000 | 710 | -49% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $29,000 | 180 | +68% |
| Deltona | $26,000 | 240 | +185% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $33,000 | 540 | +35% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $27,000 | 90 | +126% |
| Gainesville | $28,000 | 320 | +387% |
| Jacksonville | $28,000 | 600 | +74% |
| Lakeland | $25,000 | 220 | +110% |
| Miami | $29,000 | 340 | -40% |
| Naples | $28,000 | 100 | +66% |
| Ocala | $30,000 | 180 | +289% |
| Orlando | $31,000 | 660 | +13% |
| Palm Bay | $32,000 | 200 | +83% |
| Panama City | $27,000 | 50 | +41% |
| Pensacola | $29,000 | 70 | -14% |
| Port St Lucie | $30,000 | 150 | +133% |
| Punta Gorda | $30,000 | 50 | +161% |
| Sebastian | $33,000 | 90 | +282% |
| Tallahassee | $22,000 | 160 | +81% |
| Tampa | $29,000 | 970 | +47% |
| West Palm Beach | $35,000 | 560 | +89% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $21,000 | 30 | -5% |
| Athens | $36,000 | 90 | +144% |
| Atlanta | $26,000 | 1,220 | -8% |
| Augusta | $25,000 | 140 | +23% |
| Columbus | $22,000 | 70 | +18% |
| Gainesville | $27,000 | 50 | +39% |
| Macon | $23,000 | 50 | +4% |
| Savannah | $23,000 | 130 | +59% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $25,000 | 140 | -44% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $27,000 | 170 | +16% |
| Coeur Dalene | $26,000 | 30 | +18% |
| Idaho Falls | $28,000 | 40 | +72% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $35,000 | 40 | +10% |
| Champaign | $39,000 | 130 | +138% |
| Chicago | $31,000 | 1,760 | -19% |
| Peoria | $27,000 | 40 | -57% |
| Rockford | $25,000 | 70 | -9% |
| Springfield | $29,000 | 60 | +4% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | $22,000 | 80 | -15% |
| Fort Wayne | $33,000 | 60 | -47% |
| Gary | $28,000 | 110 | -27% |
| Indianapolis | $29,000 | 370 | -28% |
| Lafayette | $31,000 | 40 | +2% |
| South Bend | $29,000 | 60 | -14% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $34,000 | 60 | +231% |
| Cedar Rapids | $29,000 | 50 | -34% |
| Davenport | $27,000 | 90 | -13% |
| Des Moines | $25,000 | 130 | -30% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $31,000 | 50 | +133% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $27,000 | 410 | +204% |
| Louisville | $26,000 | 310 | -11% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | $29,000 | 170 | +118% |
| Lake Charles | $24,000 | 30 | -36% |
| New Orleans | $31,000 | 280 | -7% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $30,000 | 70 | +123% |
| Lewiston | $31,000 | 50 | +97% |
| Portland | $31,000 | 250 | +124% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $32,000 | 1,300 | +72% |
| Hagerstown | $27,000 | 50 | -3% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $37,000 | 1,600 | +59% |
| Brockton | $35,000 | 90 | +89% |
| Framingham | $35,000 | 100 | +11% |
| Haverhill | $37,000 | 50 | +16% |
| Lawrence | $33,000 | 30 | -2% |
| Leominster | $32,000 | 40 | +61% |
| Lowell | $34,000 | 80 | +23% |
| New Bedford | $34,000 | 50 | +50% |
| Peabody | $32,000 | 60 | +10% |
| Springfield | $27,000 | 250 | +49% |
| Taunton | $27,000 | 50 | +125% |
| Worcester | $36,000 | 600 | +325% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $40,000 | 100 | -74% |
| Flint | $32,000 | 100 | +41% |
| Grand Rapids | $29,000 | 150 | -30% |
| Holland | $28,000 | 50 | -3% |
| Kalamazoo | $35,000 | 70 | -5% |
| Lansing | $38,000 | 170 | +54% |
| Saginaw | $33,000 | 40 | -7% |
| Warren | $36,000 | 680 | +9% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $30,000 | 40 | -43% |
| Minneapolis | $34,000 | 1,220 | +19% |
| Rochester | $37,000 | 80 | +46% |
| St Cloud | $29,000 | 80 | +57% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | $21,000 | 50 | +71% |
| Jackson | $28,000 | 150 | +5% |
| Pascagoula | $22,000 | 50 | +117% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 120 | +186% | |
| Kansas City | $33,000 | 540 | -8% |
| Springfield | $23,000 | 180 | +70% |
| St Louis | $30,000 | 510 | -34% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $25,000 | 40 | -10% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $27,000 | 120 | +36% |
| Omaha | $29,000 | 230 | -14% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $33,000 | 310 | -36% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $30,000 | 80 | +44% |
| Nashua | $30,000 | 140 | +87% |
| Portsmouth | $34,000 | 80 | +173% |
| Rochester | $31,000 | 100 | +268% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $30,000 | 50 | -37% |
| Camden | $32,000 | 250 | -17% |
| Edison | $34,000 | 780 | +32% |
| Newark | $35,000 | 480 | -17% |
| Trenton | $34,000 | 60 | -53% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $34,000 | 240 | +9% |
| Las Cruces | $23,000 | 50 | +52% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binghamton | $29,000 | 50 | -18% |
| Buffalo | $31,000 | 410 | +30% |
| Ithaca | $40,000 | 40 | +98% |
| Kingston | $31,000 | 40 | +29% |
| Nassau | $37,000 | 1,190 | +63% |
| New York | $38,000 | 1,460 | -51% |
| Poughkeepsie | $40,000 | 200 | +44% |
| Rochester | $31,000 | 240 | -17% |
| Syracuse | $34,000 | 250 | +41% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $31,000 | 150 | +53% |
| Charlotte | $28,000 | 810 | +64% |
| Durham | 260 | +67% | |
| Fayetteville | $23,000 | 140 | +104% |
| Greensboro | $25,000 | 270 | +34% |
| Hickory | $24,000 | 80 | -1% |
| Raleigh | $29,000 | 490 | +66% |
| Wilmington | $26,000 | 190 | +155% |
| Winston Salem | $28,000 | 60 | -49% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $29,000 | 70 | +6% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $32,000 | 140 | -23% |
| Cincinnati | $31,000 | 430 | -26% |
| Cleveland | $28,000 | 230 | -61% |
| Columbus | $29,000 | 740 | +40% |
| Dayton | $31,000 | 220 | +1% |
| Toledo | $28,000 | 140 | -16% |
| Youngstown | $27,000 | 100 | -21% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $26,000 | 530 | +60% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $30,000 | 130 | +301% |
| Eugene | $29,000 | 170 | +121% |
| Medford | $30,000 | 50 | +23% |
| Portland | $32,000 | 660 | +12% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $31,000 | 250 | +27% |
| Erie | $25,000 | 50 | -28% |
| Harrisburg | $28,000 | 110 | -39% |
| Lancaster | $29,000 | 120 | -9% |
| Philadelphia | $37,000 | 1,160 | +5% |
| Pittsburgh | $30,000 | 530 | -20% |
| Reading | $31,000 | 120 | +30% |
| Scranton | $31,000 | 140 | -5% |
| State College | $29,000 | 90 | +179% |
| York | $32,000 | 180 | +84% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $31,000 | 570 | +79% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $34,000 | 290 | +79% |
| Columbia | $28,000 | 230 | +16% |
| Greenville | $32,000 | 230 | +36% |
| Myrtle Beach | $26,000 | 40 | -32% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $25,000 | 70 | +113% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $24,000 | 170 | +33% |
| Johnson City | $20,000 | 50 | +34% |
| Kingsport | $24,000 | 50 | -24% |
| Knoxville | $27,000 | 380 | +101% |
| Memphis | $26,000 | 370 | +5% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $26,000 | 30 | -8% |
| Amarillo | $27,000 | 60 | +5% |
| Austin | $26,000 | 590 | +31% |
| Beaumont | $30,000 | 60 | -32% |
| College Station | $31,000 | 250 | +410% |
| Corpus Christi | $25,000 | 130 | +32% |
| Dallas | $29,000 | 1,080 | -11% |
| El Paso | $22,000 | 120 | -22% |
| Fort Worth | $27,000 | 520 | +5% |
| Houston | $28,000 | 2,010 | +32% |
| Killeen | $21,000 | 120 | +72% |
| Laredo | $35,000 | 30 | -27% |
| Lubbock | $21,000 | 110 | +61% |
| Mcallen | $33,000 | 70 | -46% |
| Midland | $26,000 | 40 | +24% |
| San Antonio | $27,000 | 460 | -8% |
| Tyler | $24,000 | 100 | +109% |
| Waco | $25,000 | 50 | -6% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $28,000 | 110 | -1% |
| Salt Lake City | $27,000 | 500 | +43% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $30,000 | 150 | +149% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $29,000 | 30 | -4% |
| Charlottesville | $35,000 | 60 | +31% |
| Lynchburg | $32,000 | 40 | -24% |
| Richmond | $35,000 | 220 | -38% |
| Virginia Beach | $34,000 | 170 | -61% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $35,000 | 40 | +4% |
| Bremerton | $31,000 | 80 | +83% |
| Kennewick | $31,000 | 40 | -25% |
| Mount Vernon | $32,000 | 50 | +128% |
| Olympia | $29,000 | 60 | +14% |
| Seattle | $31,000 | 990 | +22% |
| Tacoma | $36,000 | 220 | +48% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $28,000 | 60 | -25% |
| Parkersburg | $28,000 | 40 | +13% |
| Wheeling | $22,000 | 40 | +19% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $30,000 | 70 | +13% |
| Green Bay | $35,000 | 70 | -25% |
| La Crosse | $28,000 | 50 | +34% |
| Madison | 340 | +77% | |
| Milwaukee | $31,000 | 400 | -16% |
| Oshkosh | $28,000 | 40 | -14% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $26,000 | 50 | +139% |