Veterinary 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.

Veterinary Technician Salary Data

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 the median Salaries for Vet Tech Jobs by Industry reveals that vet tech salaries are highest for those employed in research and academics. 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 so much - a great deal of practical knowledge must be learned on the job. It's not surprising, then, that the Veterinary Technician Salary by Years Experience report shows a steady increase in vet tech salaries over time. Vet tech salaries also vary widely by location, with Seattle and New York City topping the Veterinary Technician Salary by City chart. There's good news for any animal lovers who are also sun worshipers - measuring Vet Tech Salaries by State shows that, compared to other states, Florida and California offer the highest salaries for vet tech professionals. If you're torn between moving east or west, use PayScale's Cost of Living Calculator to compare the Cost of Living and Veterinary Technician Salary Range in Florida and California.

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