Hiring guide · Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care
How to Hire a Veterinary Technician
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring veterinary technicians, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $47,380), recruit through agricultural, horticulture and veterinary technology programs, verify Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for veterinary technicians
There are about 131,400 veterinary technicians employed in the U.S., with roughly 13,400 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +9.4% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $35,710–$38,910 | $17.17–$18.71 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $57,650 | $27.72 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $63,180 | $30.38 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Associate's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Animal restraint
- Compassion
Nice-to-haves
- Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
- State credential (CVT, LVT or RVT)
- Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)
- Experience with anesthesia machines and monitors
Where to find veterinary technicians
- Agricultural, horticulture and veterinary technology programs
- FFA, 4-H and community college networks
- Seasonal worker programs and labor contractors
- Referrals from current crew members
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Vet Tech, Credentialed Veterinary Technician, Registered Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Nurse
Screening checklist
- Driver’s license and CDL where hauling is required
- Pesticide applicator license or certification where required
- Practical equipment or animal-handling check
- Physical ability to work outdoors and lift as required
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “How do you handle an aggressive animal?”
What a strong answer includes: Use safe restraint and low-stress techniques.
2. “What procedures are you comfortable with?”
What a strong answer includes: List skills.
3. “How do you cope with euthanasia?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention self-care.
4. “Are you credentialed?”
What a strong answer includes: Share status.
5. “How do you explain care to owners?”
What a strong answer includes: Use clear language.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Monitor Anesthesia (see the steps)
- Restrain a Dog for a Blood Draw (see the steps)
- Take a Diagnostic Radiograph (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Triage, Venipuncture, IV catheter
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Veterinary Technician 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Veterinary Technician training. Show them the path forward: Veterinary Assistant → Veterinary Technician → Specialist (VTS) → Practice or Hospital Manager.
Hiring veterinary technicians: FAQ
How much should I pay a veterinary technician?
The U.S. median wage for veterinary technicians is $47,380 per year ($22.78/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($38,910), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($57,650). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a veterinary technician have?
BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and State credential (CVT, LVT or RVT) where relevant, plus skills such as animal restraint, anesthesia monitoring, and radiography.
How long does it take to train a new veterinary technician?
Becoming qualified typically takes 2 years. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”