The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks veterinary technologists and technicians under SOC code 29-2056. As of May 2025 OEWS data, the median annual wage is $47,380 ($22.78/hr), with 129,140 workers employed nationwide. BLS projects employment to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,300 openings expected each year.

Key Takeaways Median pay: $47,380 per year ($22.78/hr)

Top 10% earn: more than $63,180 per year ($30.38/hr)

Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $35,710 per year ($17.17/hr)

Projected growth: 9.1% from 2024 to 2034

Annual job openings: ~14,300 per year through 2034

Workers employed nationwide: 129,140

Highest-paying state: District of Columbia (median $61,270)

State with most workers: Texas (16,730 employed) Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Quick answer: Training as a veterinary technician usually takes 6 months to 2 years, most often through a two-year associate degree with accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Costs vary by program and school. After graduating, you pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and apply for state credentialing as a registered, licensed, or certified veterinary technician.

The median veterinary technician salary is $47,380 per year ($22.78/hour), and employers post about 14,300 openings nationwide each year (BLS, May 2025). Veterinary technicians work alongside veterinarians in clinics, hospitals, shelters, and research labs. They assist with exams and surgeries, run lab tests, take x-rays, give medications, and help pet owners understand their animal’s care.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician Most people enter the field in about six months to two years, depending on the program they choose. The path runs through an accredited education program, a national exam, and state credentialing, followed by hands-on work in a clinical setting. Earn a high school diploma or GED A high school diploma or GED is the minimum requirement to enroll in a veterinary technology program.

Before you apply, it helps to build a foundation in the sciences the work depends on. Biology, chemistry, and anatomy give you a head start on the medical coursework, and math is helpful for calculating medication doses and fluid rates. Comfort with computers matters too, since clinics run on electronic medical records, lab equipment, and digital imaging systems.

If you can get any early exposure to animal care, such as volunteering at a shelter, fostering animals, or working part-time at a clinic or boarding facility, do it. That experience helps you confirm the field is right for you and strengthens your application to competitive programs. Career changers who already hold a diploma or another degree can move straight to the next step and apply directly to an accredited program.

Complete an AVMA-accredited program This is the core credential, and accreditation is what makes it count. Look specifically for programs with accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) through its Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). Most states require graduation from an AVMA-accredited program before you can take the licensing exam, so verifying accreditation before you enroll is the single most important thing you can do.

The most common credential is a two-year associate degree, though some schools offer certificate options or four-year bachelor’s degrees in veterinary technology. Coursework covers animal anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, surgical nursing, radiography and diagnostic imaging, laboratory procedures, and dentistry. Programs build in supervised clinical rotations so you practice drawing blood, placing catheters, monitoring anesthesia, and handling patients under the eye of experienced staff.

Some accredited programs offer distance or hybrid formats, but the hands-on clinical hours must be completed in person at an approved site. Pass the VTNE After you graduate, the next step is the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). The VTNE is the national standard most states use to credential veterinary technicians, and it tests the practical knowledge you built in school, including pharmacology, anesthesia, surgical nursing, dentistry, laboratory procedures, and diagnostic imaging.

Plan to study in the weeks leading up to your exam date, using review materials and practice questions to find weak spots. Many programs help graduates prepare and walk them through the application process. Check the AAVSB for current eligibility rules, scheduling, and fees, since requirements and testing windows can change.

Apply for state credentialing Passing the VTNE is usually not the final step on its own. Most states require you to register, license, or certify with the state veterinary board before you can work, and the title varies by state: registered veterinary technician, licensed veterinary technician, or certified veterinary technician. The exact requirements differ, so check your state board for the rules that apply to you.

Some states require a background check, a separate state exam, or proof of continuing education to keep your credential active. Joining the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) can help you keep up with state rules and connect with the wider profession.



Find a job and advance Veterinary technicians are hired by private clinics, animal hospitals, emergency and specialty practices, shelters and humane societies, research laboratories, and zoos.

Tailor your resume to the setting you want, highlight your clinical rotations and any animal-care experience, and ask instructors or rotation supervisors for references. Once you are working, experience opens the door to advancement. You can pursue a recognized Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) credential in areas such as emergency and critical care, anesthesia, or dentistry through NAVTA-recognized academies, or move into lead technician, practice management, or training roles over time.

Compare training programs near you Browse program lengths, formats, and start dates from accredited schools that match your goals. See programs near you ↑ What Veterinary Technicians Do Veterinary technicians support veterinarians in nearly every part of animal care and treatment. They handle the hands-on clinical work that keeps a practice running, which frees the veterinarian to focus on diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Day to day, vet techs prepare patients for exams and surgery, monitor anesthesia, run blood and urine tests, take x-rays, administer medications and vaccines, and watch over animals as they recover. They also keep medical records accurate and talk with owners about home care, medications, and follow-up visits.

Common Responsibilities

Assisting veterinarians during surgeries and procedures

Collecting blood, urine, or tissue samples for lab testing

Administering medications, vaccines, and anesthesia

Taking x-rays and performing diagnostic imaging

Monitoring patient recovery and updating medical records

Educating pet owners about care and treatment Key Skills and Traits for Success Compassion and patience with animals

Attention to detail under pressure

Clear communication with owners and the veterinary team

Steady hands and technical skill for lab and surgical work

Emotional resilience and problem solving Where You Will Work Veterinary Technicians Work In a Range Of Settings Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals

Emergency and specialty practices

Animal shelters and humane societies

Research laboratories

Zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers

Military and government agencies Education and Credentialing Paths Pathway Typical Duration Outcome Certificate 6 to 12 months Entry-level preparation, where accepted Associate Degree About 2 years Most common credential Bachelor’s Degree About 4 years Helpful for advanced or research roles To practice in most states, you complete an AVMA-accredited program, pass the VTNE, and earn state credentialing as a registered, licensed, or certified veterinary technician.

Career

Growth and Advancement Projected job growth for veterinary technologists and technicians Use this chart on your site (free) This chart is free to republish. Copy the code below; it credits TradeCareerPath.com with a link back to this page. Chart by TradeCareerPath.com With experience and added credentials, veterinary technicians can move into roles such as: Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in fields like emergency and critical care, anesthesia, or dentistry

Lead or Head Veterinary Technician who oversees other techs

Veterinary Practice Manager

Research or Laboratory Animal Technician Cost and Duration of Training Program cost: varies by program and school; community colleges generally cost less than private institutions

Time to complete: six months to two years for most credentials

Credential to practice: AVMA-accredited program, VTNE, and state credentialing Contact the AVMA-accredited programs you are considering for current tuition, fees, and financial aid options. Pros and Cons Pros Growing career field with strong demand

Meaningful work helping animals and their owners

Variety of settings and specialties

Entry path without a four-year degree Cons Physically and emotionally demanding

Exposure to injured, sick, or distressed animals

Pay is modest compared with some human healthcare roles Quick Facts: Veterinary Technician Salary, Education, and Outlook Median Pay $47,380 $22.78/hr Top 10%: $63,180 Job Outlook (2024-2034) 9.1% 14,300 openings/yr Employment (2025) 129,140 Wage Percentiles 25th $38,910 75th $57,650 Typical Education Associate degree On-the-Job Training None Highest Paying States District of ColumbiaCaliforniaWashington Top Industries Cross-industry Certification VTNE plus state credentialing (most states) 2025 data | SOC 29-2056 | Source: BLS OEWS What veterinary technologists and technicians earn across the pay scale Use this chart on your site (free) This chart is free to republish. Copy the code below; it credits TradeCareerPath.com with a link back to this page. Chart by TradeCareerPath.com Industry Organizations & Certifying Bodies These are the recognized national organizations, unions, certifying bodies, and regulatory authorities that shape this trade.

They issue the credentials, sponsor the apprenticeships, publish the codes, and represent workers and employers.

American





Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Administers the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) Professional association for veterinary technicians.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - CVTEA Accredits veterinary technology programs. Wage and Employment Charts Top-paying states for veterinary technologists and technicians Use this chart on your site (free) This chart is free to republish. Copy the code below; it credits TradeCareerPath.com with a link back to this page.

Chart by TradeCareerPath.com Ready to start training? See accredited programs, request info, and compare start dates from schools that fit your goals. Get matched with programs ↑ Workplace Safety Snapshot BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses data (2023-2024) report approximately 367.0 days-away, restricted, or transfer cases per 10,000 full-time-equivalent workers in veterinary technologists and technicians (about 3.67 per 100 FTE).

Source: BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, Table R98.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does veterinary technician training take? It typically takes 6 months to 2 years of training. The most common entry path is an associate degree in veterinary technology, which runs about 2 years.

A high school diploma or GED is generally required to get started. Do you need a college degree to work as a veterinary technician? Most states require graduation from a program with accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the common credential is a two-year associate degree.

A high school diploma or GED is the educational prerequisite to enroll. How much does veterinary technician training cost? Costs vary widely by program and school, and depend on whether you attend a community college or a private institution.

Contact the AVMA-accredited programs you are considering for current tuition and fees, and ask about financial aid. Do you need to pass the VTNE to work as a vet tech? In most states, yes. After graduating from an AVMA-accredited program, you take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), and then apply for state credentialing as a registered, licensed, or certified veterinary technician.

Is training as a veterinary technician hard? Entry is accessible because no four-year degree is required and most people finish training in 6 months to 2 years. The coursework covers anatomy, pharmacology, and surgical support, and the job itself can be physically and emotionally demanding.

Can you train as a veterinary technician online? Some AVMA-accredited programs are offered in distance or hybrid formats, but they still require hands-on clinical training completed at an approved veterinary site. Confirm AVMA accreditation before you enroll in any program.

How many veterinary technicians work in the United States? BLS reports approximately 129,140 veterinary technologists and technicians employed nationwide as of May 2025, with employment projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034.

How Veterinary Technician Pay

Compares to Similar Trades Side-by-side comparison of Vet Technician and the closest related careers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2025 OEWS + 2024-2034 Employment Projections).

Career Median

Pay 10-Year Growth Annual Openings Vet Technician this guide $47,380 +9.1% 14,300 Veterinary Assistant Programs $38,150 +8.7% 22,200 Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics + BLS Employment Projections.

Related Careers Veterinary Assistant Programs

Sources U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (2023-2024, Table R98)

U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations (2026) Veterinary Technician Salary by State BLS OEWS, May 2025 Filter states State Median annual Top 10% annual District of Columbia $61,270 $81,990 New York $59,010 $78,760 Oregon $55,810 $77,710 Washington $59,740 $77,300 California $60,630 $75,860 Alaska $46,480 $75,820 Virginia $52,090 $75,770 New Jersey $49,050 $75,310 Connecticut $50,950 $75,090 Maryland $47,350 $74,460 Nevada $50,250 $65,420 Minnesota $57,270 $65,120 Massachusetts $49,540 $64,470 Iowa $45,560 $63,860 Rhode Island $45,310 $63,590 Michigan $49,710 $63,020 Hawaii $48,550 $62,660 Delaware $48,370 $61,890 Ohio $47,990 $61,360 New Hampshire $48,780 $60,840 Illinois $46,440 $60,520 Colorado $49,650 $60,380 Pennsylvania $46,430 $60,280 Indiana $48,720 $59,490 North Carolina $47,620 $59,420 Wisconsin $47,020 $59,110 Georgia $43,060 $58,590 Vermont $49,490 $58,430 Arizona $46,300 $58,350 Kansas $45,810 $58,250 South Carolina $39,020 $57,970 Florida $46,380 $57,870 Maine $50,810 $57,690 Montana $41,170 $57,660 Nebraska $43,680 $57,310 Tennessee $42,810 $57,040 North Dakota $48,790 $56,980 New Mexico $44,790 $56,870 Utah $40,560 $55,330 Texas $39,410 $54,610 Oklahoma $39,100 $53,880 Kentucky $39,590 $50,530 South Dakota $45,300 $50,440 Missouri $43,520 $49,260 Wyoming $38,650 $49,260 Alabama $36,590 $49,060 Idaho $42,120 $48,660 West Virginia $37,700 $48,170 Arkansas $38,360 $47,820 Louisiana $35,530 $47,690 Mississippi $36,380 $46,710 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

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