2021 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary Guide

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 Salary

Search by Location

Salary

$36.3K

Growth

16%

Bright Outlook

Bright

Green

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Job Description

Also known 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), Veterinary Laboratory Technician (Vet Lab Tech), Veterinary Nurse (Vet Nurse), Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech), Veterinary Technologist

How Much Do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Make ? 2021

Percentile	10%	25%	50% (Median)	75%	90%
Annual Wage	$25,520	$30,030	$36,260	$43,890	$52,410
Hourly Wage	$12.27	$14.44	$17.43	$21.10	$25.20

How Much Do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Make ? 2021

Percentile

10%

25%

50% (Median)

75%

90%

Annual Wage

$25,520

$30,030

$36,260

$43,890

$52,410

Hourly Wage

$12.27

$14.44

$17.43

$21.10

$25.20

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Tasks

Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
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.
Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.
Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.
Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.
Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.
Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.
Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.
Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.
Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.
Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals' hair.
Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming.

What Activities Do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Do?

Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.
Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments.
Maintain medical facility records.
Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.
Immunize patients.
Administer non-intravenous medications.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.
Position patients for treatment or examination.
Treat medical emergencies.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Treat dental problems or diseases.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.
Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
Collect biological specimens from patients.
Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
Process x-rays or other medical images.
Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Maintain medical facility records.
Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
Order medical supplies or equipment.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Train medical providers.
Merchandise healthcare products or services.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Process medical billing information.
Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.
Care for animals.

Typical Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Knowledge?

Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

What Are Typical Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Abilities?

Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.

What Are Typical Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Skills? 2021

Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Speaking - Talking to others.

What Are Typical Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Interests?

Investigative - Occupations with Investigative interests frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They often involve research and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic - Occupations with Realistic interests frequently involve practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

What Is The Projected Employment For Veterinary Technologists and Technicians ? 2021

Location	2019 Employment	2029 Employment	Percent change	Annual projected job openings
United States	112,900	131,200	16%	10,900

What Is The Projected Employment For Veterinary Technologists and Technicians ? 2021

Location

2019 Employment

2029 Employment

Percent change

Annual projected job openings

United States

112,900

131,200

16%

10,900

What Is The Required Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Education & Experience? 2021

Associate's degree
No work experience
No on-the-job training

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Schools ?

School	Program Name	Location	Length / Graduates
Advantage Technical College	Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant	Manati, PR	At least one but less than two years: 0
Advantage Technical College	Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant	Manati, PR	At least one but less than two years: 0
Advantage Technical College	Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant	San Juan, PR	At least one but less than two years: 0
Advantage Technical College	Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant	San Juan, PR	At least one but less than two years: 0
Alamance Community College	Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant	Graham, NC	2 years: 0 Less than one year: 0
Alamance Community College	Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant	Graham, NC	2 years: 0 Less than one year: 0
Allan Hancock College	Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant	Santa Maria, CA	Less than one year: 15
Allan Hancock College	Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant	Santa Maria, CA	Less than one year: 15
Aparicio-Levy Technical College	Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant	Tampa, FL	Less than one year: 11
Aparicio-Levy Technical College	Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant	Tampa, FL	Less than one year: 11

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Schools ?

500 United States

School

Program Name

Location

Length / Graduates

Advantage Technical College