Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
SOC code 29-2056 · O*NET-SOC 29-2056.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$47,380
a year
Hourly
$22.78
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$49,120
$23.61 per hour
Middle 50%
$38,910 – $57,650
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$35,710 – $63,180
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
129,140
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $35,710
- $17.17/hr
- 25th percentile
- $38,910
- $18.71/hr
- Median percentile
- $47,380
- $22.78/hr
- 75th percentile
- $57,650
- $27.72/hr
- 90th percentile
- $63,180
- $30.38/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+9%
Growing much faster than average
134,200
jobs in 2024
146,400
projected for 2034
About 12,200 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do veterinary technologists and technicians do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
- 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.
- Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 41% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)41%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree26%
- Post-Secondary Certificate15%
- Some College Courses7%
Common questions
How much does a veterinary technologists and technicians earn?
The national median is $47,380 a year. The full range runs from $35,710 at the 10th percentile to $63,180 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a veterinary technologists and technicians without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is veterinary technologists and technicians in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 9% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Reading Comprehension3.6/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Writing3.3/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
- Biology4.0/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Chemistry3.3/5
- Computers and Electronics3.0/5
- Administrative2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.