Healthcare

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$47,380

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$36k – $63k

Job outlook

+9% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $93,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

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Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

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Typical progression

Junior Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Entry / Junior
$35,710
~2 yrs to advance
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Established
$47,380
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Senior
$55,280

Key skills

A typical day

•Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
•Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
•Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
•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.
•Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.