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Veterinary Technician

$47,380
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Assist veterinarians by running lab tests, taking X-rays, and providing nursing care to animals.

Where you work

Veterinary clinics and hospitals; hands-on with animals, standing.

The hours

Full-time and part-time; nights, weekends, and holidays.

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$47,380
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~14,300
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+9%
Much faster than average
Working in the U.S.
coming soon

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Associate degree

Training path: Associate degree + credential.

License or certification

Most states require credentialing by exam after an accredited program.

What it takes

CompassionManual dexterityAttention to detailPatience

The honest take

The animal-medicine job that needs 2 years, not 8.

Standard Occupational Classification 29-2056. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.