Agriculture & Environment

Veterinary Technician Salary

Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians with animal care, performing clinical procedures, lab tests, and nursing duties.

Median Salary
$38,250
Mean Salary
$40,200
Total Employed
116,800
Job Growth
+20%

Veterinary Technician Salary by Experience Level

Entry-level veterinary technicians earn around $29,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $39,000. Senior-level veterinary technicians can earn $53,000 or more.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,000
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$39,000
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$53,000

Salary Percentile Breakdown

The salary range for veterinary technicians varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $27,000, while the top 10% earn $55,000.

Percentile Annual Salary
10th Percentile $27,000
25th Percentile $32,000
50th Percentile (Median) $38,250
75th Percentile $46,000
90th Percentile $55,000

Veterinary Technician Salary by State

Veterinary Technician salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $65,025, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $31,748.

State Median
#1 Hawaii $65,025 Details →
#2 California $52,785 Details →
#3 Massachusetts $51,638 Details →
#4 Alaska $47,430 Details →
#5 New York $46,665 Details →
#6 New Jersey $43,988 Details →
#7 Washington $43,988 Details →
#8 Connecticut $42,840 Details →
#9 Maryland $42,075 Details →
#10 Oregon $42,075 Details →
#11 Colorado $40,163 Details →
#12 New Hampshire $40,163 Details →
#13 Rhode Island $40,163 Details →
#14 Virginia $39,780 Details →
#15 Delaware $38,633 Details →
#16 Vermont $38,633 Details →
#17 Florida $37,485 Details →
#18 Maine $37,485 Details →
#19 Arizona $37,103 Details →
#20 Minnesota $37,103 Details →
#21 Nevada $37,103 Details →
#22 Utah $37,103 Details →
#23 Pennsylvania $36,720 Details →
#24 Illinois $36,338 Details →
#25 Montana $36,338 Details →
#26 Idaho $35,955 Details →
#27 Georgia $35,573 Details →
#28 New Mexico $35,573 Details →
#29 North Carolina $35,190 Details →
#30 Texas $35,190 Details →
#31 Wisconsin $35,190 Details →
#32 Wyoming $35,190 Details →
#33 Louisiana $34,808 Details →
#34 Indiana $34,425 Details →
#35 Michigan $34,425 Details →
#36 Nebraska $34,425 Details →
#37 North Dakota $34,425 Details →
#38 Ohio $34,425 Details →
#39 Iowa $34,043 Details →
#40 South Carolina $34,043 Details →
#41 Tennessee $34,043 Details →
#42 Missouri $33,660 Details →
#43 South Dakota $33,660 Details →
#44 Alabama $33,278 Details →
#45 Kansas $33,278 Details →
#46 Kentucky $33,278 Details →
#47 Oklahoma $32,895 Details →
#48 Arkansas $32,130 Details →
#49 West Virginia $32,130 Details →
#50 Mississippi $31,748 Details →

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist with animal examinations and surgeries
  • Administer medications and vaccines
  • Collect and analyze lab samples
  • Take and process X-rays
  • Educate pet owners on animal care

Top Skills

Animal Care Lab Techniques Radiology Anesthesia Medical Records Client Communication

Education Required

Associate's degree

Job Outlook

Much faster than average — projected 20% growth over the next decade