Growing employment opportunities in the veterinary field has increased the scope of veterinarian technician jobs. Although, the salary is not very high, the major driving force for many aspiring veterinarian’s is concern for animals.
The life of a veterinary technician revolves around animals and vets, so the first and foremost thing that any aspiring student should deeply think about before entering this career is his/her love for animals. If you love animals and have a genuine desire to care for them, only then you should proceed to take further steps.
The salary range is not relatively high as compared to other medical jobs, so, just don’t rush in to this career for money. It’s practically impossible to survive in this field if you don’t have an inner drive to care of animals. Most positions in this job are very competitive, and you have to work hard to establish yourself. So, do consider these important points before you think of becoming a veterinary technician.
Educational Requirements
To become a veterinary technician, one must have a bachelor’s degree in animal anatomy and related subjects. Awareness and knowledge about animal nursing, performing laboratory procedures, all aspects of animal care, including surgical procedures is expected. Different schools have different educational and training criteria. You also need to pass certification exams from the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) before practicing professionally.
Job Description
A veterinary technician is a core member of the veterinary team of doctors, whose key role is to carry out tasks as prescribed by the doctor. They are responsible for the care of the animals during all stages of the treatment.
Average Salary
While considering the salary, there are various important factors that come into play. For example, an average technician’s salary is mostly dependent on the branch of the practice. If the veterinary doctor is practicing on his own, he must have a large revenue production to run the clinic effectively. The annual salary in initial years ranges from USD 20,000 to USD 30,000 and increases to USD 50,000 to USD 70,000 within 15 to 20 years of practice. Quite evidently, there is not a big change in their salary prospects. Certified technicians earn higher, as employers give more preference to any veterinary doctor who has skills and certificates in various parts of this profession. Besides salaries, technicians are given attractive perks in the form of health insurance and medical claims.
| Work Experience | Vet Technician Salary Range* |
| Less than 1 year | 20,000 to 30,000 |
| 1 to 4 years | 30,000 to 45,000 |
| 5 to 9 years | 45,000 to 60,000 |
| 10 to 19 years | 60,000 to 65,000 |
| 20 years or more | 65,000 to 70,000 |
*―Approximately (in USD; annually)
Work Environment
The salary range is closely dependent on the type of the practice the related veterinary doctor does. For instance, a veterinary technician can choose to work in community service, or own a private clinic. Working in community hospitals is a better option, as it helps you to grow and move forward in this profession. Besides, if you are an active member of the community, and you really care for the animals, you will surely choose the community job option. These professionals can be employed in various specialties like animal hospitals, emergency clinics, diagnostic laboratories, humane societies, and animal control facilities, zoos, and wildlife facilities.
The good news is that with cities expanding and a rise in urban population, the population of pets has also increased. This has created a demand for skilled veterinary technicians. People are now more aware of the needs of their pets, and see to it that they don’t get affected by any infections or diseases. All this has led to a good career development path for these professionals, who are also required in various fields like animal control, biomedical facilities, pet food industry, wildlife refuges, and parks.