Vet Tech Salary & Benefits

Vet Tech Salary and Benefits

The mean annual salary of veterinary technicians across the United States in 2005 was $26,710, with the top ten percentile earning an average of $37,360. Hourly wages are estimated at $12 to $15. Another report by NAVTA indicates that the average full-time salary of a veterinary technician was $30,500 per year in 2003. These numbers represent salaries from across the United States and will vary from state to state.

Whether you work in a private practice or for a corporation, a full-time vet tech may be offered benefits that include:

• Vacation pay
• Holiday pay
• Sick leave
• Continuing education incentives
• 401(k) plan
• Health benefits

As with most professions, more experienced veterinary technicians have the opportunity to earn higher salaries. Experience and knowledge lead to a deeper understanding of your work, greater responsibility and higher earning potential.

Also, there are salary differences depending on where you choose to work. On average, veterinary techs working in animal research may have lower starting salaries but quickly graduate to higher salaries than those working in animal care clinics. See the vet tech interview for more details on benefits and hours.

Benefits packages also vary depending on area of practice and employer. That is one reason it is important to learn about the different fields in which vet techs work. The best way to do this is to ask questions.

Informational Interviews

During your certification training, an excellent idea is to call vet techs for informational interviews. Interviews such as these are beneficial for several reasons:

• They provide you with a clearer understanding of the job. Research labs, clinics and zoos are all unique work environments. Get an idea of what’s out there.
• They are an excellent networking opportunity. When you finish your training and are ready to interview for a job, you’ll have a ready-made list of people to contact.
• Finally, interviews give the clinics a chance to meet you. It’s much easier to hire someone when they feel they already know you.

Don’t be shy. Pick up the phone and talk to people. You’ll find that people are very helpful when they meet someone with a common interest.

Continue reading about vet tech specialties.