Did You Know?
Adult dogs have 42 teeth, 10 more than most adult people. Cats get by with just 30.
The Numbers Behind the Career
The median salary for veterinary technologist and technicians in the U.S. in 2025 was $47,380.
There were about 131,400 veterinary technologists and technicians in the U.S. in 2025.
About 13,400 veterinary technologist and technician job openings are expected each year over the next decade.
Where This Career Is Headed
The veterinary technician profession is changing in important ways. Advances in veterinary medicine and a push to make fuller use of credentialed technicians are reshaping the field. In 2016, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) launched the Veterinary Nurse Initiative, which aims to create one national title, "registered veterinary nurse," with consistent credentialing standards and stronger protection of the title, and several states have considered bills to make that change. Technology is also changing the work, as digital X-rays, in-clinic lab equipment, telemedicine, and AI-assisted tools expand what veterinary teams can do. At the same time, the profession is working on long-standing concerns about pay, burnout, and student debt.
Standardizing the vet tech title and credential could strengthen credentialed technicians' professional identity and make the difference between technicians and assistants clearer to the public.
Advances in veterinary diagnostics, imaging, and telemedicine are creating demand for technicians with specialized technical skills.
Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials, offered through 16 specialty academies, give technicians clear ways to advance in areas like emergency care, anesthesia, dentistry, and zoological medicine.
Education & Certification
Veterinary technicians must complete a postsecondary veterinary technology program. Programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) prepare students for the national exam. Veterinary technicians usually earn a two-year associate degree, while veterinary technologists usually earn a four-year bachelor's degree. Coursework includes animal anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, surgical nursing, anesthesia, radiology, laboratory diagnostics, and animal behavior, along with hands-on clinical training.
Most states require vet techs to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) to become credentialed. Depending on the state, the credential may be called Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), or Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). Requirements vary, so research your state's rules. After becoming credentialed, vet techs can pursue advanced Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) certification through one of 16 specialty academies recognized by NAVTA.
To Prepare...
Take classes in biology, chemistry, anatomy, and math to build a scientific foundation that vet tech programs build on.
Volunteer at animal shelters, stables, farms, or other animal care organizations that accept volunteers your age to gain hands-on animal care experience.
Research AVMA-CVTEA-accredited veterinary technology programs and decide whether a two-year or four-year track fits your goals.
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