Vet Tech Median Annual Salary
According to The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) 2021 Occupational Employment Statistics, salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.
Here’s what the BLS has to say about vet tech salaries by state:
How Do Veterinary Technician Salaries Compare?
Animal caretakers need talented assistants and the field of technology around animal care is growing. Because of this, new treatments and procedures are available to keep animals healthy and alive longer, so there will be an increase in services needed.
What is the Job Growth Like?
The job growth for veterinary technicians is projected to be higher than average; employment for vet techs is expected to grow 19.6% through 2031. Too, employment for veterinary assistants is expected to grow by 19.4%, while all other occupations in the U.S. are projected to grow 5% over the same time span.
What Kinds of Institutions Hire Veterinary Techs?
The majority of veterinary technicians work in the veterinary services industry—in fact, 91% of them do. If you focus on a certain specialization during your vet tech program, you might find yourself working somewhere more closely tied to that concentration. Specializations can be completed through professional certification, where you’ll study coursework to prep for the area you’re interested in and take an exam to earn the title offered through professional agencies offering the credential.
Other places veterinary technicians find work include:
- Laboratories
- Boarding kennels
- Animal shelters
- Emergency animal care facilities
- Zoos