A veterinary technician, physical therapist or veterinarian with advanced training who provides physical therapy for dogs recovering from surgery, injury or arthritis. BLS does not publish separate figures for veterinary technologists and technicians; it counts them within veterinary technician (SOC 29-2056), whose median pay is $47,380 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 29-2056
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Canine Rehabilitation Therapist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $47,380a year, or $22.78/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $63K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +9.4%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+9.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +9.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 13,400131,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025131.4K
- Projected 2035143.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 131.4K Projected 2035 143.8K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school41.3%
- Certificate14.6%
- Some college7.4%
- Associate's26.4%
- Bachelor's4.9%
- Doctorate5.5%
Highest education held by veterinary technologists and technicians Segment Value High school 41.3% Certificate 14.6% Some college 7.4% Associate's 26.4% Bachelor's 4.9% Doctorate 5.5%
Also advertised as: Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP), Canine Physical Rehabilitation Technician, Animal Rehabilitation Therapist, Canine Hydrotherapist.
Pay
How much do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians make?
Every canine rehabilitation therapist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$47,380
Middle half earn $38,910 to $57,650
- 10th
- $35,710
- 25th
- $38,910
- 75th
- $57,650
- 90th
- $63,180
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,710 |
| 25th | $38,910 |
| Median | $47,380 |
| 75th | $57,650 |
| 90th | $63,180 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $47,380
- Median hourly wage
- $22.78/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $49,120
- People employed
- 129,140
Versus all US occupations
At $47,380, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians earn 7% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $3,600 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 54% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $63,180 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,710, a gap of 1.8×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 17% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($61,270), but once local prices are taken into account Minnesota leads at $58,071 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Veterinary Technologists and Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $61,270 | $55,750 | 120 |
| 2California | $60,630 | $54,760 | 11,310 |
| 3Washington | $59,740 | $55,825 | 2,290 |
| 4New York | $59,010 | $54,679 | 5,350 |
| 5Minnesota | $57,270 | $58,071 | 3,560 |
| 6Oregon | $55,810 | $53,995 | 1,120 |
| 7Virginia | $52,090 | $51,521 | 2,790 |
| 8Connecticut | $50,950 | $49,175 | 1,690 |
| 9Maine | $50,810 | $52,354 | 910 |
| 10Nevada | $50,250 | $50,261 | 1,120 |
Job outlook
Is Canine Rehabilitation Therapist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +9.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | +9.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Veterinary Technologists and Technicians to change 9.4% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.7× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 12,300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 13,400 openings are projected each year, 10.2% of the 131,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist
Most therapists start as credentialed veterinary technicians, physical therapists or veterinarians. The best-known training is the Canine Rehabilitation Certificate Program at the University of Tennessee, which leads to the Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) credential through online courses, a hands-on lab, a supervised clinical experience and a final exam.
Veterinary technicians can go further and earn the Veterinary Technician Specialist credential in physical rehabilitation through the Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians, a NAVTA-recognized academy. State practice acts differ on who may provide animal rehabilitation and under what veterinary supervision, so practitioners check their state's rules.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as veterinary technologists and technicians.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)41.3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree26.4%
- Post-Secondary Certificate14.6%
- Some College Courses7.4%
- Doctoral Degree5.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 41.3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 26.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 14.6% |
| Some College Courses | 7.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 5.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist do?
Canine rehabilitation therapists help dogs walk, run and recover. Working from a veterinarian's diagnosis, they assess gait, range of motion and muscle mass, then design exercise programs using balance boards, cavaletti poles, therapy balls and underwater treadmills.
Common patients include dogs recovering from cruciate ligament or spinal surgery, older dogs with arthritis, and working and sport dogs returning after injury. Therapists use therapeutic exercise, massage, joint mobilization, heat and cold, and modalities such as therapeutic laser and electrical stimulation. They track progress, adjust programs, and teach owners home exercises that make the biggest difference between visits.
Day-to-day tasks
- Assess gait, range of motion and muscle condition
- Design therapeutic exercise programs from veterinary diagnoses
- Run underwater treadmill and pool therapy sessions
- Apply manual therapy, massage and joint mobilization
- Operate therapeutic laser and electrical stimulation equipment
- Track recovery progress and adjust treatment plans
- Teach owners home exercise routines
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Canine rehabilitation therapists work in specialty hospitals, dedicated rehabilitation and sports medicine clinics, and some general practices. The work is active: kneeling, lifting dogs, and working in and around underwater treadmills and pools. Schedules are mostly daytime appointments, with some evening sessions for working owners.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.8
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Speaking3.6
- Writing3.3
- Monitoring3.3
- Active Learning3.1
- Learning Strategies3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
| Speaking | 3.6 |
| Writing | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Coordination3.1
- Service Orientation3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Time Management3.0
- Persuasion2.9
- Instructing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 2.9 |
| Instructing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Internet browser software
- Medical software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RSI) built on O*NET's Veterinary Technician profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Canine Rehabilitation Therapist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.7
- Investigative5.3
- Conventional4.6
- Social4.0
- Artistic1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Canine Rehabilitation Therapist
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Support
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Most earn $30K to $49K
+9.1%High school - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician
$74,310median a year
Most earn $39K to $121K
+3.7%Associate's - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with veterinary technologists and technicians highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
- Canine Rehabilitation Therapist$47,380
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
| Canine Rehabilitation Therapist | $47,380 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Canine Rehabilitation Therapist appears on
Questions
Canine Rehabilitation Therapist: frequently asked questions
How much do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for veterinary technologists and technicians. It counts them within veterinary technician, whose median pay is $47,380 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $38,910 and $57,650, and the top 10% earn $63,180 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 41.3% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Canine Rehabilitation Therapist a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 9.4% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 13,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist do?
Canine rehabilitation therapists help dogs walk, run and recover. A typical task: assess gait, range of motion and muscle condition. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Veterinary Technologists and Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians are District of Columbia ($61,270), California ($60,630), Washington ($59,740) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Minnesota moves to the top at $58,071.
What personality type suits a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist?
O*NET scores Veterinary Technologists and Technicians highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.