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.
Veterinary Technician Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $47,380 per year ($22.78/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 9.1% through 2034, with about 14,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
SOC 29-2056Healthcare Practitioners and TechnicalLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $47,380
- Projected growth
- +9.1%
- Openings a year
- 14,300
- Typical education
- Associate's
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Emergency Veterinary Technician (Emergency Vet Tech), Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician (Internal Medicine Vet Tech), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Veterinarian Technician (Vet Tech).
How much do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians make?
10th percentile$35,710
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$38,910
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$47,380
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$57,650
Upper quartile
90th percentile$63,180
Top-paid tenth
| 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 $97,870, this is 52% 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 22% of the 923 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.
Which states pay Veterinary Technologists and Technicians the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $61,270 | $55,750 | 120 |
| California | $60,630 | $54,760 | 11,310 |
| Washington | $59,740 | $55,825 | 2,290 |
| New York | $59,010 | $54,679 | 5,350 |
| Minnesota | $57,270 | $58,071 | 3,560 |
| Oregon | $55,810 | $53,995 | 1,120 |
| Virginia | $52,090 | $51,521 | 2,790 |
| Connecticut | $50,950 | $49,175 | 1,690 |
| Maine | $50,810 | $52,354 | 910 |
| Nevada | $50,250 | $50,261 | 1,120 |
Is Veterinary Technician a growing career?
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians9.1%
All US occupations3.1%
+9.1% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Veterinary Technologists and Technicians to change 9.1% over 2024–2034, roughly 2.9× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 12,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 14,300 openings are projected each year, 10.7% of the 134,200 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
As the number of households with pets and spending on pets continue to rise, strong demand is expected for veterinary technologists and technicians. Increased treatment options is also projected to contribute to rising demand for these workers over the projections decade.
How to become a Veterinary Technician
The standard route is a veterinary technology program accredited by the AVMA's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, then a passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination, then a credential issued by your state veterinary board. The credential's name is itself the main state variation: depending on where you work you become a certified, licensed or registered veterinary technician.
The credential path, step by step
- Graduate from an AVMA CVTEA-accredited veterinary technology program2 years for an associate degree
A 2-year associate degree qualifies you as a veterinary technician; a 4-year bachelor's degree qualifies you as a veterinary technologist. Accreditation is what state boards look for.
- Check your VTNE eligibility pathway and apply
The AAVSB sets out eligibility pathways before you apply. Confirm which one you fall under rather than assuming graduation alone is enough.
- Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination
Most states and provinces require a passing VTNE score before they will credential you. The AAVSB reports your score to the jurisdiction you nominate, but passing the exam is not the same as being credentialed.
- Sit a jurisprudence exam if your state requires one
Some jurisdictions require a jurisprudence examination on their own laws and regulations; the AAVSB administers the SPA exam for some of them.
- Apply to your state veterinary board for the credential
The state board issues the credential and decides what it is called. Requirements beyond the degree and the VTNE are set locally, so check the board directly for the state you intend to work in.
Exams you have to pass
Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)
Evaluates the competency of veterinary technicians. Most states and provinces require a passing score before they will credential you. Candidates check their eligibility pathway, apply, sit the exam in a scheduled window, and the AAVSB then reports the score to the chosen jurisdiction.
Administered by American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
State and Provincial Assessment jurisprudence exam (SPA)
A test of the laws and regulations of the specific state or province you will practice in. Only some jurisdictions require one, and only some of those use the AAVSB's version.
Administered by American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), for the jurisdictions that use it.
- Program accreditation
AVMA CVTEA · AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities
CVTEA accredits veterinary technology programs against its Standards of Accreditation. Under AVMA policy, a credentialed veterinary technician is someone a state board has determined graduated from a CVTEA-accredited program, passed a national competency examination, and met that state's other requirements.
- How long the training takes
2 years
A veterinary technician usually holds a 2-year associate degree; a veterinary technologist usually holds a 4-year bachelor's degree. Both come from AVMA CVTEA-accredited programs.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
The credential's name varies rather than just its paperwork: states variously issue a certified veterinary technician (CVT), licensed veterinary technician (LVT) or registered veterinary technician (RVT) credential, and AVMA policy uses Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CrVT) as the umbrella term across all of them. Examination and regulation sit with state boards of veterinary medicine, not with the AAVSB or the AVMA. A further wrinkle is title protection: in many states the plain title 'veterinary technician' is not restricted to credentialed practitioners, and only a minority of states both define the title and restrict its use.
Who governs the credential
- American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) — Owns and administers the VTNE and sends your score to the state or province where you will practice. It does not license or credential veterinary technicians itself; it also administers State and Provincial Assessment (SPA) jurisprudence exams for some jurisdictions.
Credential detail for veterinary technicians is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (How to Become One) · checked August 23, 2026
- AVMA policy, Veterinary technology · checked August 23, 2026
- AVMA, Accreditation of veterinary technology programs · checked August 23, 2026
- AAVSB, Veterinary Technician National Exam · checked August 23, 2026
- AAVSB, Getting Your License · checked August 23, 2026
- AVMA News, NAVTA calls for better protection of veterinary technician title · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Veterinary technologists and technicians must complete a postsecondary program in veterinary technology. Technologists usually need a 4-year bachelor’s degree, and technicians need a 2-year associate’s degree. Typically, both technologists and technicians must pass a credentialing exam to become registered, licensed, or certified, depending on the requirements of the state in which they work.
| Typical entry-level education | Associate's degree |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
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 Diploma41.3%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)26.4%
- Post-Secondary Certificate14.6%
- Some College Courses7.4%
- Doctoral Degree5.5%
What does a Veterinary Technician do?
Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
Veterinary technologists and technicians, supervised by licensed veterinarians, do medical tests that help diagnose animals’ injuries and illnesses.
Day-to-day tasks
- Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
- Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.
- Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
- Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
- Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
- Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Veterinary technologists and technicians may have to work evenings, weekends, or holidays.
Physical demands
- On their feet more than half the working day
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where veterinary technologists and technicians work
| Veterinary services | 89% |
|---|---|
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 4% |
| Social advocacy organizations | 1% |
| Other personal services | 1% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Reading Comprehension3.6/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Writing3.3/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
- Learning Strategies3.0/5
Transferable skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.3/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Persuasion2.9/5
- Instructing2.9/5
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.
What personality type suits a Veterinary Technician?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary6.7
Investigativeprimary5.3
Artistic1.0
Social3.0
Enterprising1.0
Conventionalprimary4.6
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.
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.
Veterinary Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians make?
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $47,380 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 7% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $22.78/hr. The middle half earn between $38,910 and $57,650. The top 10% earn $63,180 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Veterinary Technician?
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.
Is Veterinary Technician a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 9.1% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 14,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Veterinary Technician do?
Veterinary technologists and technicians, supervised by licensed veterinarians, do medical tests that help diagnose animals’ injuries and illnesses. A core O*NET task: prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians. 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 Veterinary Technician?
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 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Veterinary Technician?
2 years. A veterinary technician usually holds a 2-year associate degree; a veterinary technologist usually holds a 4-year bachelor's degree. Both come from AVMA CVTEA-accredited programs.
Do you need a license to work as a Veterinary Technician?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. The credential's name varies rather than just its paperwork: states variously issue a certified veterinary technician (CVT), licensed veterinary technician (LVT) or registered veterinary technician (RVT) credential, and AVMA policy uses Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CrVT) as the umbrella term across all of them. Examination and regulation sit with state boards of veterinary medicine, not with the AAVSB or the AVMA. A further wrinkle is title protection: in many states the plain title 'veterinary technician' is not restricted to credentialed practitioners, and only a minority of states both define the title and restrict its use.
What exams do you have to pass to become a Veterinary Technician?
The VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) and the SPA (State and Provincial Assessment jurisprudence exam). Evaluates the competency of veterinary technicians. Most states and provinces require a passing score before they will credential you. Candidates check their eligibility pathway, apply, sit the exam in a scheduled window, and the AAVSB then reports the score to the chosen jurisdiction.