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How much does a vet tech make? This is a question that we get asked a lot. We have compiled some data to answer this question for you.
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Introduction
In the united states the median pay for a veterinary technician is $33,280 per year, or $16.03 per hour. Pay can range from $21,980 to $48,790 per year, depending on factors such as experience, employer type, location, and educational attainment. For those just starting out in the field, entry-level pay is generally on the lower end of this range. With experience and additional training, vet techs can earn higher salaries.
What Does a Vet Tech Do?
Vet techs, or veterinary technicians and technologists, are Allied Health Professionals who work alongside veterinarians to provide care for animals. They typically have an Associate’s degree or certificate in veterinary technology from an accredited institution. In some states, vet techs may also be licensed and/or certified.
Vet techs are a vital part of the veterinary team. They assist veterinarians in diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries in animals. They also help care for sick and injured animals by providing nursing care, administering medications, and performing lab tests and diagnostic procedures. In addition, vet techs may teach pet owners how to care for their animals and provide customer service.
How Much Does a Vet Tech Make?
The median annual salary for vet techs was $32,350 in May 2016, according to the BLS. The top 10% earned more than $48,490, while the bottom 10% earned less than $22,270.
Most vet techs work full time; however, about 1 in 5 worked part time in 2016. They may work evenings or weekends to cover the needs of animal owners who work during the day. Vet techs also may work overtime when animals need around-the-clock care.
How Much Does a Vet Tech Make?
Vet techs are in high demand and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job outlook for vet techs will grow by 19% from 2016 to 2026. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a vet tech was $32,350 in May 2017. The lowest 10% earned less than $21,610, and the highest 10% earned more than $48,350.
National Average Salary
The national average salary for a Vet Tech is $33,280 in United States. Filter by location to see Vet Tech salaries in your area. Salary estimates are based on 5,743 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Vet Tech employees.
Salary by State
In order to become a licensed veterinary technician, you must complete a two-year accredited veterinary technology program and pass both a state and national exam. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for veterinary technicians was $33,280 in May 2016. Pay for veterinary technicians varies based on experience, geographic location and place of employment.
The table below shows the median annual salaries for veterinary technicians in all 50 states in 2016.
State Median Annual Salary
Alabama $27,340
Alaska $41,480
Arizona $32,550
Arkansas $26,430
California $35,460
Colorado $35,970
Salary by City
Data from Indeed.com shows that the average yearly salary for a vet tech ranges from $28,000 to $33,000, with the median salary coming in at $30,000. However, your salary as a vet tech will vary depending on factors such as your experience, employer, location, and more.
For example, if you’re employed in a major metropolitan area, you can expect to earn more than if you worked in a small town. The table below shows the average annual salary for vet techs in some of the largest U.S. cities. As you can see, salaries range from $28,000 to $33,000.
–new york city $33,000
-Los Angeles: $32,000
-Chicago: $31,000
-Houston: $30,000
-Phoenix: $28,000
How to Become a Vet Tech
Vet techs are in high demand. The number of jobs is expected to grow much faster than average. Rising interest in pets and pet health, along with laws that mandate care, will spur job growth. More Vet techs will be needed to work with an aging population of Veterinarians, who will need assistance with tasks such as x-rays and lab work.
There are many ways to become a vet tech. The most common is to complete a 2-year Associate’s degree from a community college or technical school that offers a Veterinary Technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Admission requirements vary, but most programs require completion of certain pre-veterinary courses, such as biology, chemistry, and math, as well as a minimum GPA.
After completing an accredited Veterinary Technology program, graduates must then pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), which is administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), in order to be credentialed and licensed in their state. Many states also require Vet Techs to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis in order to maintain their license.
Job outlook for Vet Techs
While the demand for all healthcare occupations is expected to grow by 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, the demand for veterinary technicians is expected to grow even faster at 19 percent during that same time period, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The growth of veterinary medicine is being driven by several factors, including an aging pet population and a rise in pet ownership among Millennials.
As a result of this increased demand, the median annual salary for vet techs was $33,380 as of May 2018, according to the BLS. The top 10 percent of earners made more than $48,490, while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $22,920.
