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How much does a vet tech make? The answer may depend on their experience, location, and other factors.
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Introduction
In order to become a veterinary technician, one must complete a two-year degree from an accredited institution and pass a state-administered examination. Veterinary technicians work in a variety of settings including private clinics, zoos, research laboratories, and colleges of veterinary medicine. They typically work alongside licensed veterinarians to provide direct patient care and perform medical procedures. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for veterinary technicians was $33,400 in 2018, with the top 10 percent earning more than $47,000.
What Does a Vet Tech Do?
The job of a vet tech is to work with animals and their owners to provide medical care and support. They may work in private practices, clinics, or hospitals, and may be involved in everything from routine checkups and vaccinations to emergency care and surgery. In addition to working with patients, vet techs also play an important role in educating pet owners about animal care and health.
So, what does a vet tech do on a day-to-day basis? Let’s take a look at some of the typical tasks that vet techs perform:
Assisting veterinarians with examinations and procedures
Collecting blood, urine, and tissue samples
Administering vaccinations and other medications
Performing lab tests
Taking X-rays
Anesthetizing animals for surgery
Monitoring patients during surgery
Providing postoperative care
Educating pet owners on animal health, care, and diet
How Much Does a Vet Tech Make?
Vet techs play an important role in the animal healthcare industry, providing support to veterinarians and animal care staff. If you’re thinking of becoming a vet tech, you’re probably wondering how much you can expect to earn in this career.
The average vet tech salary in the united states is $33,280 per year. However, salaries can vary widely depending on experience, location and other factors. Experienced vet techs in high-paying areas can earn over $50,000 per year.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of vet tech salaries by experience level:
Entry-level (< 1 year): $28,000 - $30,000 Experienced (1-5 years): $32,000 - $35,000 Mid-level (5-10 years): $36,000 - $38,000 Senior-level (> 10 years): $39,000 – $41,000
As you can see, experience makes a big difference in how much vet techs earn. entry-level vet techs can expect to earn around $28,000 per year while senior-level vet techs can earn up to $41,000 per year. The average salary for experienced vet techs falls right in the middle at around $36,000 per year.
Where you work also impacts your salary as a vet tech. Vet techs in urban areas tend to earn more than those working in rural areas. The cost of living also affectsvet tech salaries – those working in expensive cities like San Francisco or New York will need to earn more than those working in cheaper areas like Omaha or Memphis.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the highest paying states for vet techs: Colorado: $42,560 District of Columbia: $41,490 Massachusetts: $40270 Alaska: $39430 New Hampshire: $38060 Washington: $37270 Maryland: $36960 Rhode Island: #$36770 Connecticut:#36710 New Jersey:#36670 California:#35810 Oregon:#33980 Nevada:#33470 Delaware:#32770 Illinois:#32290 Florida:#31940 Arizona:#31880 Pennsylvania:#31460 Ohio:#30820 Michigan:#29730 Texas:#29690 Missouri:#29090 Indiana:#28090 Georgia:#26980 Louisiana:#26270 North Carolina :#25170 West Virginia :#$250 90 Kentucky :#24700
Factors That Affect a Vet Tech’s Salary
There are many factors that affect a veterinary technician’s salary, including experience, geographical location, and type of employer.
Veterinary technicians with more experience tend to earn higher salaries than those with less experience. Veterinary technicians who work in metropolitan areas typically earn more than those who work in rural areas. And, veterinary technicians who work for private practice veterinarians usually earn more than those who work for public hospitals or other animal care facilities.
In addition to these general factors, there are also a number of specific factors that can affect a veterinary technician’s salary. For example, some veterinary technicians specialize in a particular area of practice, such as dentistry or surgery. Those who have completed advanced training or certification in their area of specialization typically earn higher salaries than those who have not.
Geographical location is another important factor to consider when considering a veterinary technician’s salary. Veterinary technicians who live and work in states with a high cost of living, such as California or New York, usually earn higher salaries than those who live and work in states with a lower cost of living, such as Texas or Oklahoma.
Job Outlook for Vet Techs
The job outlook for vet techs is excellent. Employment of vet techs is expected to grow 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing popularity of pets and the need to provide them with high-quality medical care are the main drivers of this growth.
There will be good job opportunities for those who complete formal education programs in veterinary technology. Many vet techs work in private veterinary clinics, but there also will be opportunities in zoos, aquariums, animal shelters, research laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies.
Vet Tech Salary by State
The average annual salary for a veterinary technician in the United States is $33,280, which is $16.02 per hour. The median salary for Vet Techs is $32,350. The range of salaries for Vet Techs runs from $23,210 to $44,690.
