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Career overview · SOC 29-2056

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.

Also called: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) · Emergency Veterinary Technician (Emergency Vet Tech) · Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician (Internal Medicine Vet Tech) · Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) · Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) · Veterinarian Technician (Vet Tech)

Median pay (national)
$45,980
$32,120–$60,880 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
131,320
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+9.1%
~14,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Associate's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for veterinary technologists and technicians shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $60,880 versus $32,120 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $45,980 leaves roughly 32% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +9.1% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 14,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $59,080, +28% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $23,530 — a 151% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Monitoring
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Science
  • Mathematics

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
  • Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
  • Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
  • Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
  • Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
  • Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
  • Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.

Tools & technology

  • Animal Intelligence Software Animal Intelligence
  • FileMaker Pro
  • McAllister Software Systems AVImark
  • Practice management software PMS
  • Veterinary practice management software PMS
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Knowledge areas

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Biology
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Administrative