Hourly Rate for Veterinary Technologist / Technician Jobs

Highest Hourly Rates By City for Veterinary Technologist / Technician Jobs

Top Cities by Popularity for Veterinary Technologist / Technician Jobs

Highest Hourly Rates By City Top Cities by Popularity

Highest Hourly Rates By City 1. West Palm Beach, Florida 2. San Francisco, California 3. Seattle, Washington 4. Grand Rapids, Michigan 5. Albany, New York 6. Kansas City, Missouri 7. Littleton, Colorado 8. Cleveland, Ohio 9. New York, New York 10. Boston, Massachusetts 11. Los Angeles, California 12. Omaha, Nebraska 13. Cincinnati, Ohio 14. Bellevue, Washington 15. St. Paul, Minnesota 16. Charleston, South Carolina 17. Springfield, Massachusetts 18. Detroit, Michigan 19. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 20. Asheville, North Carolina Top Cities by Popularity 1. Houston, Texas 2. Chicago, Illinois 3. Tampa, Florida 4. Austin, Texas 5. Seattle, Washington 6. Portland, Oregon 7. San Diego, California

Veterinary Technician Salary Survey

The job of veterinary technician is one that requires a varied skill-set and a fair amount of patience - just imagine the awkward task of collecting a urine sample from a 200-pound dog, or a tiny chihuahua for that matter. While some tasks may verge on being comical, others are very serious, requiring medical knowledge and careful attention. Veterinary technicians who work in a private practice will assist just as many humans as animals. That means working with a wide range of pet owners, many of whom may be upset about a sick or injured pet. While veterinarians are responsible for the diagnostic and primary care of animals, an effective veterinary practice relies on veterinary technicians who are trained to utilize important skills. Veterinary technicians are also employed in animal shelters, laboratories, colleges, zoos and other settings. Depending on the workplace, a vet tech's duties will range from assisting in surgeries to providing guidance to animal owners to working on research projects.

Training programs combined with practical experience are requirements for veterinary technicians, and some states have a mandatory test that must be passed prior to working as a vet tech. Both two- and four-year degree programs exist for veterinary technology, but the Veterinary Technician Salary by Degree chart shows that earning a bachelor's degree may not be an advantage; some of the highest vet tech salaries actually go to those who have earned an Associate of Science degree. Further research into PayScale's veterinary salary data can answer important questions regarding salaries for vet tech positions.

Researching Vet Tech Salaries

With a wide range of employment options available, many aspiring veterinary technicians may wonder how salaries for vet tech jobs vary in different work settings. Looking at median Vet Tech Salaries by Industry reveals that some of the highest vet tech salaries currently go to those working in emergency medical services. For vet techs who work in a private veterinary practice, every day will be different, with various animals to see and diverse issues to deal with. This variation means that veterinary technology programs can only prepare technicians to a certain extent; a great deal of practical knowledge must be learned on the job. It's not surprising, then, that measuring Vet Tech Salaries by Years Experience shows a steady increase in vet tech salaries over time. Vet tech salaries also vary widely by location, with Seattle topping the Vet Tech Salary by City chart. To find out more about how vet tech salaries are affected by location, use the PayScale Cost of Living Calculator to compare the Cost of Living and Veterinary Technician Salary Range in different cities.

Want more career options? Expand your veterinary salary research by finding out how a veterinary technician salary compares to a Veterinarian Salary.