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.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
SOC: 29-2056 O*NET: 29-2056.00
Median Salary
$45,980
per year
Job Growth
🚀 9.1%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
14.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Veterinary Technologists and Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,120
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,390
25th percentile
Median
$45,980
50th percentile
Experienced
$50,960
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,880
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,120
25th
$37,390
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$45,980
Mean: $46,280
75th
$50,960
90th
$60,880
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $28,760 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,390 and $50,960
- •Salary spread is 29.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 131,320 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:134,200
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services92.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services92.1%
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services91.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+9.1%
Annual Openings:14,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)134,200
Current
2034 (Projected)146,400
+9.1%
+12,200
Employment Change
+9.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Veterinary Technologists and Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
16,170 jobs$37,2501.37x
California
11,380 jobs$55,0800.74x
Florida
10,130 jobs$40,3801.21x
Pennsylvania
5,840 jobs$41,9101.14x
New York
5,480 jobs$58,8300.67x
Illinois
4,840 jobs$47,8600.94x
Ohio
4,720 jobs$46,3901.00x
Minnesota
4,320 jobs$49,4801.74x
Colorado
3,990 jobs$48,3601.62x
Massachusetts
3,900 jobs$47,1301.26x
North Carolina
3,650 jobs$45,4600.88x
New Jersey
3,500 jobs$48,6300.97x
Arizona
3,390 jobs$45,1101.25x
Georgia
3,280 jobs$38,8100.79x
Maryland
3,090 jobs$46,6201.32x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Writing
60%
#8
Service Orientation
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Writing
intermediate3.0
60%
Service Orientation
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Airfield Operations Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Archivists82%
5 shared skills
Audio and Video Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Writing
- →Service Orientation
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (1)General Responsibilities (8)Documentation & Record-Keeping (6)Operations & Execution (5)Planning & Development (1)
1
Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision100% perform100%
2
Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.64
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.55
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.51
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.42
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.38
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.38
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Integrity
4.4
Cooperation
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Self-Control
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Persistence
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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