Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Veterinary technologists and technicians must complete a postsecondary program in veterinary technology. Technologists usually need a 4-year bachelor’s degree, and technicians need a 2-year associate’s degree. Typically, both technologists and technicians must take a credentialing exam and become registered, licensed, or certified, depending on the requirements of the state in which they work. PayThe median annual wage for veterinary technologists and technicians was $47,380 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 13,400 openings for veterinary technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary technologists and technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary technologists and technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for veterinary technologists and technicians was $47,380 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 13,400 openings for veterinary technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary technologists and technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary technologists and technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 13,400 openings for veterinary technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary technologists and technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary technologists and technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Veterinary technologists and technicians do medical tests that help diagnose animals’ injuries and illnesses.
Work Environment
Veterinary technologists and technicians work in private clinics, laboratories, and animal hospitals. Their jobs may be physically or emotionally demanding. Many work evenings, weekends, or holidays.
How to Become a Veterinary Technologist or Technician
Veterinary technologists and technicians must complete a postsecondary program in veterinary technology. Technologists usually need a 4-year bachelor’s degree, and technicians need a 2-year associate’s degree. Typically, both technologists and technicians must take a credentialing exam and become registered, licensed, or certified, depending on the requirements of the state in which they work.
Pay
The median annual wage for veterinary technologists and technicians was $47,380 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 13,400 openings for veterinary technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary technologists and technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Veterinary technologists and technicians work in private clinics, laboratories, and animal hospitals. Their jobs may be physically or emotionally demanding. Many work evenings, weekends, or holidays.
How to Become a Veterinary Technologist or Technician
Veterinary technologists and technicians must complete a postsecondary program in veterinary technology. Technologists usually need a 4-year bachelor’s degree, and technicians need a 2-year associate’s degree. Typically, both technologists and technicians must take a credentialing exam and become registered, licensed, or certified, depending on the requirements of the state in which they work.
Pay
The median annual wage for veterinary technologists and technicians was $47,380 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 13,400 openings for veterinary technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary technologists and technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinary technologists and technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinary technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.