Unique Vet Tech Careers

As you know, a vet tech career starts by enrolling in a two-year associate degree program.

Then they’d get certificied, earning them the professional right to work in the industry.

However, some vet techs may decide to take up a specialization.

The advanced education will equip them with skills to work in a specialized field.

What’s more, this will enhance their job and salary prospects.

On this page, we listed five vet tech specialists (VTS) that you can consider doing.

Veterinary Behavior Technician

Today, there’s an increasing demand for animal training and behavior specialists.

They deal with social or training problems of animals, relating to their:

• Mental states
• Environments
• Personalities

They apply behavioral therapy techniques, not unlike the ones psychologists use.

How to Become an Vet Behavior Tech

First, you have to be a licensed vet tech.

Next, become a member of the following:

• Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)

Joining these two lets you receive continuing education opportunities and other membership benefits.

Then, take the VTS (Behavior) exam by the Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians.

Note that you can only apply once you’ve completed:

• Continuing education, at least 40 hours
• Skills assessments, clinical or research
• Clinical practice, at least 4,000 hours

You can find out more about the exam application requirements here.

How Much Do Vet Behavior Techs Make?

Unfortunately, we can’t provide an accurate figure at this time.

What we do know is that the salary varies, depending on:

• Education
• Experience
• Location
• Credentials
• Employer or facility

Plus, it has plenty of job opportunities, making it a sought-after profession.

Veterinary Nutrition Technician

There are three things that influences an animal’s life.

• Genetics
• Environment
• Nutrition

That’s why many are now ensuring that animals receive the right supplements and diet.

It’s also why Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians (AVNT) pushes for veterinary nutrition.

How to Become an Vet Nutrition Tech

AVNT grants the VTS (Nutrition) certification to qualified candidates.

To qualify, first, you must be a certified vet tech.

Next, you must meet the following requirements:

• Clinical practice, at least 4000 hours
• Continuing education, at least 40 hours
• Skills assessments, clinical or research

You can find out more about the exam application requirements here.

How Much Do Vet Nutrition Techs Make?

Unfortunately, vet nutrition techs don’t have much employment opportunities.

And so, their specific average salary is a bit difficult to determine at this time.

Marine Veterinary Technician

A marine (or aquatic) vet tech career suits vet techs looking forward to working with sea animals.

They work with both freshwater and saltwater animal species.

What your task as a marine vet tech will be is to perform routine checkups or additional medical care.

To name a few, they mainly:

• Assist vets, especially with surgeries
• Perform routine checkups
• Collect samples like blood, urine, and stool
• Help maintain medical records
• Do preventive healthcare measures

How to Become a Marine Vet Tech

There’s no academic society or governing body to facilitate this specialization yet.

So, the steps in becoming a marine vet tech will be the same as the general vet tech requirements.

First, you must have learned marine biology or animal health from an accredited school.

And to get certified, you must pass the Veterinarian Technician National Examination.

How Much Do Marine Vet Techs Make?

Unfortunately, there is no specific salary information available at this time.

We can only infer that your expected salary depends on your:

• Potential employer
• Skills and experience
• Credentials
• Location

Veterinary Surgical Technician

Vet surgical techs help animals when they’re at their most vulnerable, saving their life.

They assist the vet in addressing emergency treatments or with invasive procedures.

How to Become a Vet Surgical Tech

First, you must be a certified vet tech, with surgical experience.

Next, be a member of NAVTA or a local veterinary association.

Then, take the VTS (Surgery) exam by the Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians.

Before applying, you must complete the following requirements:

• Clinical practice, at least 10,000 hours of being a vet tech with at least 6,000 hours of vet surgery
• Continuing education, at least 40 hours
• Skills assessment, advanced surgery-related skills

You can find out more about the exam application requirements here.

How Much Do Vet Surgical Techs Make?

According to ZipRecruiter, the annual average salary is $46,813 a year as of January 2022.

Most of them are currently receiving a range between $34,500 and $51,500.

However, the creams of the crop can earn annually as much as $71,000 up to $87,500.

Zoo Veterinary Technician

Working with a variety of animals is a dream come true for zoo vet techs.

Their responsibilities will depend on what the zoo or wildlife park currently needs.

But mainly, they’re involved in:

• Assisting vets with zoo animals
• Conducting routine checkups
• Helping out during surgeries or emergencies
• Maintaining patient records

Plus, they have flexible work schedules as they’re dealing with exotic, volatile animals.

How to Become a Zoo Vet Tech

Like other specializations, you must first be a certified vet tech.

Next, become a member of the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians and NAVTA.

Then, apply for a certification from the Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians.

To qualify for the exam, you must have:

• Clinical practice, at least 10,000 hours of experience in zoological medicine
• Continuing education, at least 40 hours
• Skills assessments, mastered advanced skill sets

You can find out more about the exam application requirements here.

How Much Do Zoo Vet Techs Make?

As of January 2022, ZipRecruiter reported that zoo vet techs earn $33,456 a year on average.

Their current salary range is $26,500 to $37,500.

But they can earn more, as much as $54,000 annually.

Will Some VTS Earn As Much as Non-VTS?

As you’ve noticed, some VTS salary information is currently unavailable.

Maybe because specialization is relatively new, so this info can’t be tracked as of this time.

So there’s a possibility that some VTS will have more or less the same pay grade as non-VTS.

One good example are zoo vet techs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2020 report, vet techs have a median pay of $36,260 per year.

We think that it’s not a bad pay if the VTS do end up earning the same amount.

However, there are VTS that do earn more than non-VTS due to their advanced skills and experiences.

Just like vet surgical techs.

Which VTS Are You Going to Be?

If you want more out of your vet tech career, then getting a specialization is the key.

Not only will it open more opportunities, but it will also make you gain advanced skill sets.

You now have five options available to make the decision of a lifetime.

Which one is it going to be?