Veterinary Technician Salary Guide (2025)
Veterinary technicians provide medical care to animals under veterinarian supervision — performing procedures, monitoring patients, and conducting diagnostics that parallel what nurses and medical technologists do in human medicine. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median annual wage of $38,240 for vet techs. However, specialty practice vet techs in areas like emergency medicine, oncology, and dentistry earn significantly more.
Veterinary Technician Salary by State (2025)
| State | Annual Mean Wage | Hourly Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| California | $52,840 | $25.40 |
| District of Columbia | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Alaska | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Massachusetts | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Washington | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Nevada | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Oregon | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| New York | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Hawaii | $45,840 | $22.04 |
| Colorado | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Minnesota | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| Arizona | $40,840 | $19.63 |
| Texas | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Florida | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| Illinois | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| Ohio | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| Georgia | $34,840 | $16.75 |
| North Carolina | $34,840 | $16.75 |
| Tennessee | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Mississippi | $30,840 | $14.83 |
Vet Tech Salary by Practice Type
| Practice Type | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| General Practice (companion animal) | $34,000 – $44,000 |
| Emergency & Critical Care | $44,000 – $60,000 |
| Specialty (oncology, neurology, cardiology) | $46,000 – $65,000 |
| Zoo / Wildlife Medicine | $38,000 – $55,000 |
| Equine (large animal) Practice | $36,000 – $52,000 |
| Research/Laboratory Animal Medicine | $42,000 – $60,000 |
| Veterinary Teaching Hospital | $40,000 – $58,000 |
| Military (K-9 handler support) | $45,000 – $65,000 |
Education Requirements
Veterinary technology programs are typically 2-year associate degree programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Programs include:
- Animal anatomy and physiology
- Pharmacology and drug calculations
- Anesthesia and surgical assistance
- Radiology and diagnostic imaging
- Clinical laboratory procedures
- Clinical rotations at veterinary facilities
After completing an AVMA-accredited program, graduates must pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and meet their state's licensing or credentialing requirements to practice as a registered, licensed, or certified veterinary technician (credentials vary by state).
Job Outlook for Vet Techs
The BLS projects 19% job growth for veterinary technologists and technicians through 2033 — much faster than average. Drivers include:
- Rising pet ownership and pet healthcare spending (Americans spend $150+ billion annually on pets)
- Growing specialty and emergency veterinary medicine sector
- Expanding scope of veterinary services including oncology, cardiology, and neurology
- Shortage of veterinarians creating greater reliance on vet tech skill sets
See the Veterinary Technician Career Guide for AVMA-accredited programs near you.
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