How much does a veterinary technologists and technician make?

The median pay is $22.78 per hour — roughly $47,500 a year, with the real range running from about $17.17/hr (10th percentile) to $30.38/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a veterinary technologists and technician?

The typical entry-level education is: Associate degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

What does a veterinary technologists and technician actually do all day?

Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted. Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery. Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.

Health Care

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

What it pays
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $22.78/hr — about $47,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $17.17/hr; the top 10% earn $30.38/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
Restrain animals during exams or procedures.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Associate degree. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

The feel of the work

You're around people constantly. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 1.2% of veterinary technologists and technicians are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, analytical and organized and detail-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a veterinary technologists and technician make?: The median pay is $22.78 per hour — roughly $47,500 a year, with the real range running from about $17.17/hr (10th percentile) to $30.38/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a veterinary technologists and technician?: The typical entry-level education is: Associate degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
What does a veterinary technologists and technician actually do all day?: Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted. Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery. Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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