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Career

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $47,380 Median per year · $22.78/hr Most earn $35,710–$63,180

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
  • Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
  • Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
  • Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
  • Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
  • Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
9% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 13,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Veterinary services88.7%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools3.7%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

You don't usually start this job straight out of high school. Most people complete a certificate or apprenticeship program and get about 6 months to 1 year of hands-on experience before working as a veterinary technologist or technician.

  1. High school diploma with science courses

    4 years

    Biology, chemistry, and math build the background you need for animal health programs and lab work.

  2. Veterinary technology certificate or apprenticeship program

    1-2 years

    You learn animal anatomy, lab testing, sterilization, anesthesia support, and surgical assisting, which is the training this career requires.

  3. Veterinary Assistant

    6 months to 1 year

    Working in a clinic or animal hospital lets you practice handling animals, cleaning equipment, and helping with routine care, which builds the hands-on experience employers look for.

  4. Veterinary Technologist

    Career

    You run lab tests, prepare vaccines, take samples, and help the veterinarian during procedures.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Veterinary Technician

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on more complex cases, train new staff, and act as the go-to person for difficult procedures and equipment.

  2. Veterinary Practice Manager

    5+ years of experience first

    You move from hands-on animal care toward running the clinic, which includes scheduling, staffing, budgets, and client services. Management or business courses help.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology and chemistryThese classes teach the basics of animal body systems and lab work you will use every day in this career.
  • Volunteer at an animal shelter or vet clinicHands-on time with animals shows you whether you enjoy the daily work and gives you real experience to mention later.
  • Get a starter job caring for animalsPet sitting, dog walking, or working at a pet store builds responsibility and comfort around animals.
  • Join an FFA or 4-H clubThese groups teach animal care, record keeping, and teamwork, and many have animal science projects.
  • Take a health or medical elective if your school offers oneCourses like medical terminology or anatomy introduce you to clinical language and procedures.

In college

  • Major in animal science, biology, or pre-veterinary studiesThese majors give you a strong base in animal biology that transfers well to a veterinary technology program.
  • Work or volunteer at a vet clinicRegular hands-on time with animals and clinic routines builds skills and gives you references for future applications.
  • Apply for a veterinary technology certificate or apprenticeshipThis is the training step most employers and licensing rules expect for this career.
  • Join a pre-vet or animal science clubClubs offer networking, guest speakers from the field, and a way to learn about the profession.
  • Learn basic lab skillsTaking a lab-focused course or working as a lab helper gets you used to sample handling, equipment care, and careful record keeping.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local veterinary clinic or animal shelter if you can volunteer or shadow staff. Clinics often value people who already know how to handle animals calmly.
  • Look up certificate or apprenticeship programs in veterinary technology near you and check whether they are accredited. Accreditation matters for getting licensed in many places.
  • Keep a simple log of your animal care and lab experience. Programs and employers often ask about hands-on hours.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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