Veterinary technologists or technicians work to assist the work of a veterinarian.
They are usually employed in private veterinary clinics, but can also work in research programs and other animal facilities.
Vet techs work full time, and since clinics often operate round the clock, they frequently work overnight, over weekends, and during holidays.
Among their duties include evaluating an animal’s condition, administering diagnostic tests, restraining aggressive animals, giving emergency care, preparing animals for surgeries and procedures, administering medicines as prescribed by a veterinarian, as well as talking to pet owners regarding proper care.
We also have a comprehensive guide if you would like to become a vet tech.
Vet Tech Salary
How much do vet techs make? The average annual salary for vet techs is .
Vet techs can work in many industries and average salaries differ.
Average starting salaries of vet techs also differ in industry, state, as well as the size of the clinic or industry.
Top 5 Paying States
| Flag | State | Employment per 1000 Jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Alaska | 0.66 | $19.70 | $40,970 |
 | Massachusetts | 0.79 | $19.29 | $40,120 |
 | New York | 0.48 | $19.11 | $39,740 |
 | Connecticut | 0.86 | $18.56 | $38,600 |
 | California | 0.58 | $17.89 | $37,220 |
Top Paying Industries
| Industry | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Companies and Enterprises | – | $26.95 | $56,050 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 0.03 | $24.01 | $49,940 |
| State Government | – | $20.79 | $43,240 |
| Local Government | 0.01 | $20.36 | $42,350 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 0.15 | $19.76 | $41,110 |
Vet Tech Job Description
What do vet techs do? Vet techs work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Vet techs assist the veterinarian in terms of diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses and injuries of animals.
In May 2012, there were 84,800 jobs for vet techs, where 92% of those employed worked in the industry of veterinary services. Vet techs work in animal shelters, boarding kennels, zoos, animal hospitals, government research, and private clinic practices of veterinarians.
The rate of injury and exposure to animal diseases is fairly high. When handling scared or aggressive animals, vet techs can get bitten, scratched, or kicked.
A natural love for animals and a nurturing nature is ideal when pursuing a vet tech career, since a vet tech’s job is mainly about the care and treatment of animals.
Among the duties of a vet tech include: observing and evaluating animals, collecting laboratory samples such as blood, urine, and feces, perform lab tests such as urinalyses and blood counts, take and develop x-rays, provide nursing care and emergency first aid, prepare animals and equipment for surgery, administer medications, treatments, and vaccines as prescribed by a veterinarian, and collect a patient’s medical history.
A vet tech’s job can also include postoperative care, animal dental care, as well as specialize in certain specific fields. A vet tech can focus on a particular discipline such as anesthesia, dental technology, emergency and critical care, and zoological medicine.
Vet techs can also work in research-related jobs such as in biomedical research, food safety, and disaster preparedness.
Vet technologists and vet technicians vary in terms of qualifications and duties. Only those who have a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Technology are called vet technologists, and those who have associate degrees are called Vet Technicians.
Vet technologists often work in laboratories, collecting lab samples, analyzing them, and making conclusions. They can also work in research, under the guidance of a scientist. Vet technicians, on the other hand, mostly work for private clinical practice and the general care of animals. Often, vet technicians are responsible for talking to pet owners and helping to educate them about the proper care of their pets.
Vet Tech Job Outlook
The average projected increase in vet tech jobs from 2012 to 2022 is 30%, which is faster than other occupations. About 25,000 jobs are seen to be created within the next few years.
As more and more developments in veterinary medicine are being made, there will be a greater demand for vet techs to operate new equipment, as well as to handle an increase in the number of animals being brought to veterinary clinics.
As the general public is taking better care of their pets, more veterinarians will be needed, and hence, more vet techs as well.
There is an expected increase in demand for vet techs in the country especially in the rural areas. Those who have a large set of skills and can perform many specialized tasks are seen to have the most job prospects.
However, because of increased opportunities, the competition for employment is seen to be high.
Vet Tech Salary by State
| Flag | State | Employment per 1000 Jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Alabama | 0.451 | $13.82 | $28,740 |
| Alaska | 0.656 | $19.70 | $40,970 |
 | Arizona | 0.918 | $13.51 | $28,110 |
 | Arkansas | 0.214 | $13.52 | $28,130 |
| California | 0.583 | $17.89 | $37,220 |
 | Colorado | 1.23 | $14.84 | $30,880 |
| Connecticut | 0.857 | $18.56 | $38,600 |
 | Delaware | 0.817 | $16.02 | $33,330 |
 | Florida | 1.069 | $14.46 | $30,080 |
 | Georgia | 0.701 | $13.44 | $27,950 |
 | Hawaii | 0.609 | $15.16 | $31,520 |
 | Idaho | 0.702 | $13.85 | $28,810 |
 | Illinois | 0.641 | $15.41 | $32,050 |
 | Indiana | 0.505 | $14.14 | $29,400 |
 | Iowa | 0.522 | $14.77 | $30,720 |
 | Kansas | 0.384 | $15.21 | $31,630 |
 | Kentucky | 0.736 | $13.45 | $27,980 |
 | Louisiana | 0.687 | $13.18 | $27,410 |
 | Maine | 1.225 | $15.83 | $32,930 |
 | Maryland | 0.882 | $16.04 | $33,370 |
| Massachusetts | 0.786 | $19.29 | $40,120 |
 | Michigan | 0.694 | $15.13 | $31,460 |
 | Minnesota | 0.832 | $16.01 | $33,310 |
 | Mississippi | 0.611 | $15.13 | $31,470 |
 | Missouri | 0.446 | $15.71 | $32,670 |
 | Montana | 1.013 | $13.66 | $28,410 |
 | Nebraska | 0.643 | $13.81 | $28,720 |
 | Nevada | 0.542 | $17.00 | $35,360 |
 | New Hampshire | 1.175 | $15.99 | $33,260 |
 | New Jersey | 0.664 | $16.51 | $34,340 |
 | New Mexico | 0.515 | $15.34 | $31,910 |
| New York | 0.476 | $19.11 | $39,740 |
 | North Carolina | 0.761 | $14.57 | $30,310 |
 | North Dakota | 0.385 | $14.78 | $30,740 |
 | Ohio | 0.656 | $15.32 | $31,860 |
 | Oklahoma | 0.671 | $13.69 | $28,480 |
 | Oregon | 0.861 | $15.95 | $33,180 |
 | Pennsylvania | 0.744 | $16.69 | $34,720 |
 | Rhode Island | 0.743 | $16.48 | $34,280 |
 | South Carolina | 0.772 | $13.79 | $28,690 |
 | South Dakota | 0.738 | $15.13 | $31,460 |
 | Tennessee | 0.575 | $14.02 | $29,170 |
 | Texas | 0.79 | $13.72 | $28,530 |
 | Utah | 0.748 | $13.11 | $27,260 |
 | Vermont | 1.341 | $15.95 | $33,180 |
 | Virginia | 0.469 | $17.87 | $37,160 |
 | Washington | 0.58 | $16.78 | $34,900 |
 | West Virginia | 0.422 | $11.72 | $24,370 |
 | Wisconsin | 0.688 | $15.45 | $32,130 |
 | Wyoming | 0.828 | $14.64 | $30,450 |
Top paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Employment per 1000 jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich/New London – CT/RI | 0.79 | $24.13 | $50,180 |
| Brockton / Bridgewater / Easton, – MA – NECTA Division | – | $22.58 | $46,960 |
| Poughkeepsie/Newburgh/Middletown – NY | 0.69 | $21.27 | $44,240 |
| Ithaca, NY | 4.04 | $21.15 | $43,990 |
| San Francisco / San Mateo / Redwood City – CA – Metropolitan Division | – | $20.90 | $43,480 |
Top paying non-metropolitan areas
| Area | Employment per 1000 jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Texas – nonmetropolitan area | 1.17 | $19.90 | $41,400 |
| Southwestern Washington – nonmetropolitan area | 0.66 | $19.53 | $40,620 |
| West Central Illinois – nonmetropolitan area | 0.95 | $18.75 | $39,010 |
| Northwestern Connecticut – nonmetropolitan area | 1.14 | $17.94 | $37,320 |
| North Central Colorado – nonmetropolitan area | 0.98 | $17.89 | $37,200 |
