Veterinary Assistant
Help veterinarians and vet techs care for animals.
- $38,150
- 2–8 weeks
Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care career
Veterinary Technician
Also called: Vet Tech · Credentialed Veterinary Technician · Registered Veterinary Technician · Veterinary Nurse
What veterinary technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a veterinary technician do?
Veterinary technologists and technicians work under veterinarians to care for animals, monitoring anesthesia, taking X-rays, running lab tests, assisting in surgery and educating owners. The median pay is $47,380 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years, and employment is projected to grow +9.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$47,380$22.78/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+9.4%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year13,400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationAssociate's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2 yearsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs131,400Employment, 2025
What veterinary technicians do
Veterinary technicians are the nurses of animal care. They take histories and vital signs, draw blood, run lab tests, take radiographs, place catheters, monitor anesthesia, assist in surgery, perform dental cleanings and teach owners how to care for their pets. They work in clinics, emergency hospitals, shelters, zoos and research facilities.
Most vet techs complete a two-year AVMA-accredited associate degree, pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam and earn a state credential. Demand is growing as pet care spending rises.
Typical duties
- Take patient histories and vital signs
- Draw blood and run lab tests
- Take radiographs
- Place IV catheters and give medications as directed
- Monitor anesthesia and assist in surgery
- Perform dental cleanings
- Educate pet owners
Work environment and schedule
Vet techs work in animal hospitals, clinics, shelters and labs. The work involves lifting animals, bites and scratches, and emotionally difficult cases.
Schedule: Many work full-time with evening, weekend and overnight shifts at emergency hospitals.
A day in the life
- Admit surgical patients and take pre-op vitals.
- Place IV catheters and induce anesthesia with the veterinarian.
- Monitor anesthesia during a spay surgery.
- Perform a dental cleaning and take dental X-rays.
See a full day in the life of a veterinary technician →
Veterinary Technician salary
Half of veterinary technicians earned more than $47,380 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,710 for the lowest 10% to $63,180 for the top 10%.
Full veterinary technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a veterinary technician
- Gain animal experience
- Complete an accredited program
- Pass the VTNE
- Get credentialed
- Specialize
Most vet techs complete a two-year associate degree accredited by the AVMA, pass the VTNE and meet state credentialing requirements.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a veterinary technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Animal restraint
- Anesthesia monitoring
- Radiography
- Lab testing
- Venipuncture and catheters
People skills
- Compassion
- Calm under pressure
- Teamwork
- Client communication
All veterinary technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Work with animals every day
- Growing demand
- Hands-on medical work
- Associate degree path
Cons
- Pay can be modest
- Bites, scratches and lifting
- Euthanasia and emotional cases
- Weekend and overnight shifts
Certifications and licenses
- Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE): The national credentialing exam.
- State credential (CVT, LVT or RVT): Required in most states.
- Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS): Advanced specialty credentials.
- Fear Free certification: Training in low-stress handling.
Career path
- Veterinary Assistant: Support care.
- Veterinary Technician: Provide nursing care.
- Specialist (VTS): Specialize in anesthesia, dentistry or emergency.
- Practice or Hospital Manager: Lead operations.
Learn the job before day one
Our Veterinary Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as monitor anesthesia and restrain a dog for a blood draw, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Animal Caretaker
Feed, groom, exercise and care for pets and animals.
- $35,360
- 1–4 weeks (longer for grooming)
Medical Laboratory Technician
Run the lab tests doctors use to diagnose and treat patients.
- $62,930
- 2 years (technician) or 4 years (technologist)
Animal Trainer
Teach animals behaviors for companionship, service, work and shows.
- $39,990
- 6 months–2 years
Compare: Vet Tech vs. Vet Assistant · Vet Tech vs. Animal Caretaker · Vet Tech vs. Medical Lab Tech · Vet Tech vs. Animal Trainer
Veterinary Technician FAQ
What’s the difference between a vet tech and a vet assistant?
Vet techs complete degrees and credentials and perform advanced tasks; assistants support with basic care.
How long does it take to become a vet tech?
About two years.
Do vet techs need a license?
Most states require a credential.
How much does a veterinary technician make?
The median annual wage for veterinary technicians was $47,380 ($22.78 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,710 and the highest 10% earned more than $63,180.
How long does it take to become a veterinary technician?
Most people need about 2 years of training. Most vet techs complete a two-year associate degree accredited by the AVMA, pass the VTNE and meet state credentialing requirements.
Do you need a degree to be a veterinary technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.
More veterinary technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-2056 (Veterinary technologists and technicians).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Veterinary technologists and technicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.