How to Become a Veterinary Technician

As an animal lover, you might think about becoming a veterinary technician (vet tech).

But you may have no idea what the job entails.

Vet techs work in many different settings, such as:

• Labs
• Veterinary offices
• Colleges

But all vet techs have one thing in common.

You all love animals, and you want to help them in any way possible.

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What Does a Vet Tech Do?

A vet tech’s typical workday varies from day to day and workplace to workplace.

As a vet tech, you will be:

• Helping the animals
• Advising the animals’ owners
• Assisting the veterinarian

Duties

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How Much Does A Vet Tech Earn

One question many people ask is how much this job pays.

The pay that you receive changes depending on a variety of factors, such as:

• Specialization
• Work environment
• Amount of schooling
• Experience

The national annual average salary ranges from $21,890 to $47,410.

Average National Salary: $32,490

Salary Information by State

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

The top earning state in the field is District of Columbia, where the average salary is $56,420.

These are the top 10 earning states in the field:

• District of Columbia - $56,420
• California - $55,740
• New York - $55,540
• Washington - $54,460
• Virginia - $50,980
• Connecticut - $48,980
• Massachusetts - $48,270
• Maine - $47,560
• New Jersey - $47,100
• New Hampshire - $46,860

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, OCC Code 29-2056, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Vet Tech

Step 1 Graduate From High School or Get Your GED

Before anything else, you will need to get your high school diploma or GED equivalent.

It allows you to take science and health courses necessary to study a vet tech program.

For instance, biology and chemistry.

Pro Tip: Learning a foreign language is handy when interacting with foreign clients.

Step 2 Earn Your Associate’s Degree

One advantage of having an associate’s degree is that it lands you a job as soon as you graduate.

So when choosing a school, make sure it’s an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited one first.

You can go to community colleges as they often have excellent vet tech training programs.

And typically, training lasts up to two years.

This is enough to get you into the entry-level position.

Step 3 Consider Getting a Specialization

Having a vet tech specialization means better job prospects.

Here are some specializations you can consider taking:

• Dentistry
• Equine nursing
• Clinical practice
• Anesthesia and analgesia
• Emergency and critical care

Step 4 Hone Your Soft Skills

Aside from the hard skills, you must also develop your soft skills.

As a vet tech, you must have:

• Good communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Empathy

These ensure you can interact well with people, especially with your patient’s owners.

Step 5 Get Your Certifications and Licenses

Every vet tech needs to either be:

• Certified
• Licensed
• Registered

The requirements vary per state, but most vet techs have to pass an exam, which has the following sections:

• Written
• Oral
• Demonstrative

Passing this will prove to the state that you have the aptitude for animal care.

Step 6 Complete the On-The-Job Training

Most programs require you to intern with a licensed vet to get first-hand experience.

This usually means a shorter training period for you.

While in some cases, you will get the training after you’ve found employment.

Nonetheless, during that time, you must immerse yourself and complete the training satisfactorily.

Step 7 Think About Career Advancement Opportunities

The more experience you gain, the more opportunities you will encounter.

For instance, getting a promotion to oversee veterinary assistants and junior technicians.

Career opportunities also arise from:

• Continuing education
• Participating in conventions and events

Find Schools »

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Education Needed to Become a Vet Tech

To get started on your vet tech journey, you first have to enroll in an AVMA-accredited school.

Doing so means that you will get the quality education and extensive training necessary to be a vet tech.

Here are some of those accredited schools in the U.S. you can check out:

• Auburn University
• University of Arizona
• University of California
• Colorado State University
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• Purdue University
• Cornell University
• Texas Tech University
• Washington State University

For a full list of accredited schools, visit AVMA’s website.

Once you’ve chosen a school, then you can proceed to your studies and hold an associate’s degree.

Pro Tip: Holding an associate’s degree creates a continuing education opportunity in veterinary studies.

The course program lasts for about two years.

And after successful completion, you will be officially recognized as a vet tech.

You’re now able to apply for a job and do entry-level duties.

Here’s a video from a seasoned vet tech to give you some insights on areas you should know about.

Video About The Career

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Certification & Licensing

Depending on the state where you currently live, you may be a:

• Licensed Veterinary Technician, which is awarded by the state’s veterinary medical board
• Certified Veterinary Technician, which you obtain through a professional or private program
• Registered Veterinary Technician, which is given by government agencies

If you live anywhere but Alaska, California, or Wisconsin, you’ll need to:

• Complete a state-approved program
• Pass the exam

State tests are usually waived if you’ve passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam.

It’s a 200-question exam that will measure your competency at the entry level.

This exam covers topics such as:

• Animal care and nursing
• Dentistry procedures
• Lab procedures

And if you’re planning to engage in research, you’ll also need certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.

They have three certification levels.

• Assistant Laboratory Technician
• Laboratory Animal Technician
• Laboratory Animal Technologist

Average Training Program Duration: 2-3 Years

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Popular Programs

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Job Outlook and Growth for Vet Techs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for vet techs is expected to grow up to 15% from 2020 to 2030.

This rate is much higher compared to other occupations on average.

Moreover, this number means that there’s going to be high demand for vet techs for years to come.

This stems from how people consider animal care as part of their expenses.

This positive growth potential has made vet tech an ideal career choice.

Employment Growth Projection: 15%

That's a higher than average projected growth of 17,100: Interest Over Time

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Should You Become a Vet Tech?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many years will it take to become a vet tech?

You only need an associate’s degree, which takes about two years to complete.

Q. How much do vet techs make?

On average, a vet tech will make $31,800 annually.

Eighty percent of them can earn anywhere from $21,890 to $47,410.

This is roughly $17.40 per hour.

However, this can still vary depending on:

• Where they live and work
• Years of experience

Q. What can you do with a vet tech degree?

Having a degree opens up a lot of opportunities for you, most especially when you pass the licensure exam.

You are able to work in a lot of environments.

For instance:

• Veterinary office, a common vet tech workplace
• Emergency animal hospital, where you can help animals in need of critical medical attention
• Research laboratory, where you can use animals for research
• Animal shelter, where you mostly help sick or injured animals
• Zoo, where you help veterinarians with emergency and routine care

Many technicians also use their degree as a starting point to another career, like:

• Veterinarian
• Veterinary technologist
• Veterinary specialist
• College professor

Q. What does a vet tech do every day?

A vet tech usually performs the following duties:

• Watch patients for behavior changes
• Prepare patients for surgery or exams
• Give patients first aid or nursing care
• Collect lab samples and test them
• Take x-rays and develop them
• Give treatments, shots, and medicine
• Collect and maintain patient records

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How to Become a Vet Tech by State

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