Career comparison
Medical Laboratory Technician vs. Veterinary Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Medical laboratory technicians earn more at the median ($62,930 vs. $47,380), while medical laboratory technicians usually get to work faster (2 years (technician) or 4 years (technologist) of training). Medical laboratory technicians run the lab tests doctors use to diagnose and treat patients. Veterinary technicians care for animals as the nurses of veterinary medicine.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Medical Laboratory Technician | Veterinary Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,930 ($30.26/hr) | $47,380 ($22.78/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,910 – $100,990 | $35,710 – $63,180 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.7% (about as fast as average) | +9.4% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 20,800 | 13,400 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 2 years (technician) or 4 years (technologist) | 2 years |
| Key credential | ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) | Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) |
| Work setting | Technicians work in hospital labs, reference labs, clinics and blood banks, handling biological samples with safety precautions.. | Vet techs work in animal hospitals, clinics, shelters and labs. |
What each job does
Medical Laboratory Technician
- Process patient samples
- Run tests on automated analyzers
- Perform manual tests and microscopy
- Run quality control
- Check and report results
Veterinary Technician
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve indoor work, hands-on work, and shift work. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and agriculture, landscaping & animal care, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and compassion.
Which should you choose?
Choose medical laboratory technician if…
- I love science
- I’m precise and careful
- I want health care without direct patient care
Choose veterinary technician if…
- I love animals
- I’m comfortable with medical procedures
- I stay calm in emergencies
Still torn? Take the Medical Laboratory Technician fit quiz and the Veterinary Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, medical laboratory technician or veterinary technician?
Medical Laboratory Technicians earn more at the median: $62,930 versus $47,380 for veterinary technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Medical Laboratory Technicians typically train faster (2 years (technician) or 4 years (technologist)) than veterinary technicians (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects veterinary technicians to grow +9.4% from 2025–35, compared with +2.7% for medical laboratory technicians.