Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Career, Salary and Skills
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $47,380 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 129,140. Wage data is published for 364 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
29-2056.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
National salary and employment
Median annual
$47,380
Hourly median
$22.78
Employment
129,140
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Speaking | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Writing | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Active Learning | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Coordination | 3.12 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
Technology
- Animal Intelligence Software Animal Intelligence
- FileMaker Pro
- McAllister Software Systems AVImark
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Practice management software PMS
- Veterinary practice management software PMS
- Web browser software
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in TXMedian $39,410 · Employment 16,730
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in FLMedian $46,380 · Employment 11,380
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in CAMedian $60,630 · Employment 11,310
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in PAMedian $46,430 · Employment 6,620
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in NYMedian $59,010 · Employment 5,350
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in ILMedian $46,440 · Employment 5,040
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in New York, NYMedian $59,680 · Employment 4,850
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in OHMedian $47,990 · Employment 4,790
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $44,360 · Employment 4,570
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in MAMedian $49,540 · Employment 3,990
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in AZMedian $46,300 · Employment 3,970
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in COMedian $49,650 · Employment 3,720
Related careers
- Ophthalmic Medical TechniciansNational median $45,570
- Physician AssistantsNational median $135,880
- UrologistsNational median $265,930
- Nurse AnesthetistsNational median $236,590
- AnesthesiologistsNational median $391,490
- Pediatric SurgeonsNational median $559,030
- Anesthesiologist AssistantsNational median $135,880
- Emergency Medicine PhysiciansNational median $335,550
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.