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Veterinary Technicians & Assistants

Veterinary technicians and assistants provide essential medical support in animal hospitals, clinics, and laboratories by performing diagnostic tests, administering medications, and caring for animals during treatment and recovery. These professionals assist veterinarians with medical procedures, monitor animals under anesthesia, maintain medical records, and ensure clean, safe environments for animal care. They work directly with pets and laboratory animals, combining hands-on animal care with technical medical skills.

Median Annual Pay
$40,186
Range: $28,550 - $59,310
Training Time
Less than 6 months
AI Resilience
🟢AI-Resilient
Education
High school diploma or equivalent

🎬Career Video

🤖AI Resilience Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 5/6: low AI task exposure, growing job demand provides strong protection from AI displacement

🟢AI-Resilient

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

16% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Growing+2

+9% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 15/25

Total Score5/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

📋Key Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
  • Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
  • Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.

💡Inside This Career

A day for professionals in veterinary support roles revolves around hands-on animal care and medical assistance across diverse settings. Whether working in a bustling veterinary clinic, research facility, or animal hospital, these professionals spend their mornings preparing for the day ahead—setting up examination rooms, checking on overnight patients, and reviewing treatment schedules. Throughout the day, they provide direct animal care including feeding, administering medications, and monitoring patients recovering from procedures. They also assist veterinarians during examinations and surgeries, restraining animals safely, preparing instruments, and ensuring both patients and medical staff have what they need for successful treatments.

The technical aspects of the work vary significantly depending on the setting and specialization level. Some professionals perform laboratory tests, take X-rays, collect samples, and operate specialized medical equipment, while others focus more on fundamental care tasks like cleaning facilities, maintaining accurate medical records, and ensuring animals remain comfortable and stress-free. Client communication forms another crucial component, as these professionals often explain treatment plans to pet owners, provide post-care instructions, and offer emotional support during difficult situations.

Collaboration defines much of the daily workflow, with veterinary support professionals working closely with veterinarians, fellow technicians, and administrative staff to coordinate patient care. The environment can shift rapidly from routine wellness checks to emergency procedures, requiring adaptability and quick thinking. Whether caring for beloved family pets, exotic animals, or laboratory research subjects, each day brings unique challenges and the satisfaction of contributing directly to animal health and welfare.

📈Career Progression

What does this mean?

This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.

1
Entry (10th %ile)
0-2 years experience
$28,550
$25,695 - $31,405
2
Early Career (25th %ile)
2-6 years experience
$33,204
$29,884 - $36,524
3
Mid-Career (Median)
5-15 years experience
$40,186
$36,167 - $44,205
4
Experienced (75th %ile)
10-20 years experience
$49,748
$44,773 - $54,723
5
Expert (90th %ile)
15-30 years experience
$59,310
$53,379 - $65,241

📚Education & Training

Requirements

  • Entry Education: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Experience: One to two years
  • On-the-job Training: One to two years
  • !License or certification required

Time & Cost

Education Duration
0-0 years (typically 0)
Estimated Education Cost
$0 - $0
Source: college board (2024)
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💻Technology Skills

Veterinary practice management (Cornerstone)Laboratory information systemsDigital imagingMicrosoft OfficeAnesthesia monitoringInventory systemsVeterinary practice managementAnimal tracking systemsLaboratory softwareInventory management

Key Abilities

Oral Expression
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Near Vision
Oral Comprehension
Written Comprehension
Problem Sensitivity
Information Ordering
Speech Recognition
Speech Clarity

🏷️Also Known As

Veterinary Technicians & AssistantsAnimal Care Technician (Animal Care Tech)Animal Health Technician (Animal Health Tech)Animal Technician (Animal Tech)Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)Emergency Veterinary Technician (Emergency Vet Tech)Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician (Internal Medicine Vet Tech)Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)Swine Technician (Swine Tech)+20 more

📑Vet Support Roles

This career includes 2 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.

🔗Related Careers

Other careers in healthcare-technical

🔗Data Sources

Last updated: 2026-01-09

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