What’s the average veterinary technician salary?

Considering a career change? Or perhaps gearing up to leave school and considering your options for employment or for future study?
Pursuing a career as a vet tech is often a great choice for conscientious people who have a keen sense of biology and a passion for helping animals (and their human owners).
The field can be challenging, rewarding, and fulfilling. It’s a great fit for those who love a varied role. As you’ll soon see, there is a lot that goes on in the vet tech world.
All of this sounds great, but there’s one more question left to answer:
What does a vet tech’s salary look like?
In this article, we’ll show you exactly how much vet techs earn in each state and answer some of the burning questions you have about diving into this career path.
What is a vet tech?
Consider vet techs as nurses for animals.
In the human health care world, nurses and doctors work together to improve patient health and complete medical procedures.
In the animal health sphere, it’s vet techs and veterinarians.
Vet techs do far more than just assist vets, however (that’s the role of the veterinary assistant).
On top of their nursing duties, the typical vet tech job description includes:
Phlebotomy (drawing blood)
Radiology (X-rays)
Acting as a patient advocate and providing animal care advice
Surgical assistance
Administering anesthesia and medication
Vet tech job outlook
Veterinary techs are in high demand.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an industry growth rate of 15% over the next ten years, which is over twice the average.
Veterinary technician jobs offer a median pay that is slightly above the national median, along with the opportunity to grow your experience and salary by undertaking specialized study further into your career.
How much does a vet tech make in a year?
The national average salary for veterinary technologists in the U.S. is $37,860, with the highest salary for this role being more than $50,000.
The median salary (middle) is very similar at $36,260, which means there is a relatively even distribution of earners on either side.
Bear in mind that your annual salary will be affected by factors such as relevant education, years of experience, and the cost of living in your state.
With this in mind, let’s review the average base salary or hourly wage offered in each state.
State
Hourly median wage
Annual median wage
Alabama
$14.15
$29,440
Alaska
$21.09
$43,880
Arizona
$17.39
$36,180
Arkansas
$14.93
$31,050
California
$22.29
$46,370
Colorado
$18.07
$37,590
Connecticut
$20.66
$42,980
Delaware
$15.90
$33,070
District of Columbia
$21.99
$45,740
Florida
$16.63
$34,590
Georgia
$16.28
$33,850
Hawaii
$17.97
$37,370
Idaho
$15.63
$32,520
Illinois
$17.88
$37,200
Indiana
$16.59
$34,510
Iowa
$16.13
$33,550
Kansas
$16.45
$34,210
Kentucky
$14.83
$30,840
Louisiana
$12.83
$26,680
Maine
$17.60
$36,610
Maryland
$17.52
$36,440
Massachusetts
$21.44
$44,590
Michigan
$17.43
$36,260
Minnesota
$17.97
$37,370
Mississippi
$15.81
$32,890
Missouri
$14.78
$30,730
Montana
$15.49
$32,210
Nebraska
$17.68
$36,780
Nevada
$23.25
$48,360
New Hampshire
$18.20
$37,850
New Jersey
$18.86
$39,230
New Mexico
$16.98
$35,320
New York
$20.54
$42,730
North Carolina
$17.05
$35,470
North Dakota
$16.56
$34,450
Ohio
$17.14
$35,650
Oklahoma
$15.41
$32,060
Oregon
$17.75
$36,930
Pennsylvania
$16.88
$35,110
Puerto Rico
$9.31
$19,370
Rhode Island
$18.38
$38,230
South Carolina
$16.28
$33,850
South Dakota
$16.98
$35,320
Tennessee
$13.35
$27,760
Texas
$15.08
$31,360
Utah
$14.90
$30,990
Vermont
$16.87
$35,090
Virginia
$21.51
$44,740
Washington
$19.78
$41,150
West Virginia
$14.99
$31,170
Wisconsin
$17.09
$35,550
Wyoming
$15.56
$32,370
How do you become a vet tech?
If you want to become a vet tech, follow these five steps:
Obtain a high school diploma
Attend an AVMA-approved degree program in animal science or veterinary technology (two to four years of study)
Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination
Submit your application for state credentialing (requirements vary by state)
Land your first job as a vet tech at a lab, boarding kennel, animal shelter, zoo, or emergency animal care practice
Frequently asked questions
Now that you know more about how much a vet tech makes, let’s answer three commonly asked questions.
1. Do you need a degree to be a vet tech?
Yes. To get a job as a vet tech in an animal hospital or veterinary practice, you’ll need to have passed a course approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
At a minimum, this is a two-year associate degree, though many vet techs go on to complete a bachelor's degree.
2. How much do vet techs make an hour?
The median hourly rate for vet techs is $17.43, with entry-level employees making around $12.27 and more experienced techs earning as much as $25.20 an hour.
3. Who gets paid more, a vet tech or vet assistant?
The vet tech title typically pays more.
The salary range for vet assistants is $21,570–$41,080, with a median salary of $29,930.
Vet techs, being credentialed, earn more than this. The median vet tech salary is $36,260, with a reported range of $25,520–$52,410.
Ready to become a vet tech?
Not only are there plenty of opportunities in this industry, but pursuing a career as a vet tech can be extremely rewarding.
It’s certainly a role that will provide plenty of challenges and opportunities to grow.
So, are you up for it?
Check out the Jobcase job board to browse for available vet tech roles.
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