SOC 29-2056.00Bright outlook

    Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

    Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals.

    Median pay
    $47,380
    Growth
    +9.4%
    Much faster than average
    Openings a year
    13,400
    Typical education
    Associate's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $35,710
    Median
    $47,380
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $63,180
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    129,140 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Veterinary technologists and technicians perform laboratory tests, prepare vaccines, and assist veterinarians to help diagnose and treat animals. The career offers a median annual pay of $47,380, with opportunities in a rapidly growing field.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What veterinary technologists and technicians do

    Job Zone 3: Medium preparation

    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.

    Usually vocational training, an associate degree or related experience.

    What the work is like

    People in this career spend their days performing medical tests, preparing tissue and blood samples, and analyzing results like blood counts and urinalysis. They also prepare vaccines and serums, clean and sterilize medical instruments, and maintain laboratory equipment. During surgical procedures, they may assist the veterinarian directly. This role requires a strong realistic interest, as it involves hands-on physical activities, inspecting equipment, and caring for animal patients.

    To succeed, workers must be skilled in active listening, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and complex problem solving. They need a solid foundation in biology, medicine, chemistry, mathematics, and customer service. Because they interact with both animal owners and medical staff, strong speaking and writing skills are essential. Key work styles for this job include attention to detail, dependability, cooperation, and stress tolerance. Technicians must maintain self-control, show empathy, and practice cautiousness to ensure the safety of themselves and the animals.

    How to get there

    Entering this field typically requires medium preparation, which usually means completing vocational training, earning an associate degree, or gaining related work experience. The typical entry-level education is an associate's degree, and the primary college major that leads to this career is veterinary and animal health technologies or technicians.

    Depending on the employer and location, professionals may pursue specific credentials. Available certifications include the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician and the Laboratory Animal Technician credentials, both offered by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Another credential is the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination from the International Council for Veterinary Assessment. Additionally, some states list a license for this work, so requirements vary depending on where a technician practices.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for veterinary technologists and technicians was $47,380. Earnings vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% of workers earning less than $35,710 and the highest 10% earning more than $63,180. There were 129,140 people employed in this field.

    Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 9.4%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to generate 13,400 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    95 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    71 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    0 / 100
    Social (S)
    34 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    0 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    59 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RIC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    88
    Assisting and Caring for Others
    87
    Documenting/Recording Information
    84
    Getting Information
    84
    Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    83
    Performing General Physical Activities
    81
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    81
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    79
    Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
    74
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    74
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Active Listening
    • Critical Thinking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Speaking
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Monitoring
    • Writing
    • Active Learning
    • Coordination
    • Judgment and Decision Making

    Knowledge

    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Biology
    • English Language
    • Mathematics
    • Chemistry
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Administrative
    • Education and Training
    • Sales and Marketing

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Expression
    • Information Ordering
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Speech Recognition
    • Written Comprehension
    • Speech Clarity

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cooperation
    • Cautiousness
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Self-Control
    • Integrity
    • Empathy
    • Perseverance
    • Achievement Orientation

    Also called

    Animal Care Technician (Animal Care Tech) · Animal Health Technician (Animal Health Tech) · Animal Technician (Animal Tech) · 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) · Swine Technician (Swine Tech) · Veterinarian Lab Technician (Veterinary Lab Tech)

    Career pathway

    From your interests to veterinary technologists and technicians

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$47,380 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1
      St Petersburg College

      St. Petersburg, FL · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $61,428
      Median debt
      Not reported
    2. 2University of Massachusetts-Amherst UMASS Main Campus logo
      University of Massachusetts-Amherst UMASS Main Campus

      Amherst, MA · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $45,633
      4 yrs after
      $59,298
      Median debt
      $22,300
    3. 3Michigan State University logo
      Michigan State University

      East Lansing, MI · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $42,510
      4 yrs after
      $46,669
      Median debt
      $26,500
    4. 4Purdue University-Main Campus logo
      Purdue University-Main Campus

      West Lafayette, IN · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $42,584
      4 yrs after
      $45,935
      Median debt
      $17,495
    5. 5North Dakota State University-Main Campus logo
      North Dakota State University-Main Campus

      Fargo, ND · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $44,485
      4 yrs after
      $44,457
      Median debt
      $22,250
    6. 6Wilson College-Pennsylvania logo
      Wilson College-Pennsylvania

      Chambersburg, PA · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $38,955
      4 yrs after
      $41,954
      Median debt
      $25,000
    7. 7SUNY College of Technology at Canton logo
      SUNY College of Technology at Canton

      Canton, NY · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $42,004
      4 yrs after
      $41,426
      Median debt
      $22,022
    8. 8Texas A & M University-Kingsville logo
      Texas A & M University-Kingsville

      Kingsville, TX · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $36,997
      4 yrs after
      $40,816
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What veterinary technologists and technicians may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other
    • Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    38 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about veterinary technologists and technicians

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some common job titles for this career?

    People in this field are known by various titles, including Certified Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician, Registered Veterinary Technician, and Animal Health Technician. Others may work under titles like Veterinary Lab Technician or Emergency Veterinary Technician.

    What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians?

    The career is experiencing rapid growth, with employment projected to increase by 9.4% from 2025 to 2035. This expansion will result in an estimated 13,400 job openings annually.

    Do veterinary technicians need a license?

    Licensing requirements depend on the location, as some states list a license for this work. Candidates can also pursue certifications such as the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination or laboratory animal credentials.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.