Learn how to become a veterinary technician (vet tech) in Louisiana (LA) including choosing the best school, Louisiana certification and licensing requirements, and salaries and employment data.
Listed below are the top accredited schools and colleges near you in Louisiana offering vet tech and related programs.
How to become a Veterinary Technician in Louisiana
If you wish to become a vet tech in Louisiana it is a requirement that you have graduated from an accredited veterinary technician/technology program.
Once you have graduated from an accredited program you will need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) exams – which are administered by the American Association of Veterinary – if you wish to work as a vet tech in Louisiana. As a final step, you will need to obtain your license before securing employment as a veterinary technician.
Accredited Vet Tech Programs in Louisiana
| School | Area | Degree Level |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge Community College | Baton Rouge, LA | Associate of Applied Science |
| Delgado Community College | Metairie, LA | Associate of Applied Science |
| Northshore Technical College | Greensburg, LA | Associate of Applied Science |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Natchitoches, LA | Associate Degree |
There are currently 4 accredited veterinary technician programs in Louisiana.
Programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).
Louisiana Vet Tech Licensing Requirements
Once you have successfully graduated from an accredited program and passed all necessary certification examinations you will need to apply for your veterinary technician license in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine can provide more specific information on all the necessary certification and licensing requirements. You can contact them directly using the contact details below:
Address: 301 Main Street, Suite 1050, Baton Rouge, LA 70801-1200
Phone: 225-342-2176
Email: admin@lsbvm.org
Website: http://www.lsbvm.org/Act_rules.htm
Vet Tech Salary Louisiana
| Average Vet Tech Salary | $26,000 |
| Hourly Wage | $12.50 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $35,880 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $18,020 |
| #'s Employed | 1,150 |
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2017) the average veterinary technician salary in Louisiana is $26,000 – 25% below the national average of $34,710.
This represents an hourly wage of $12.50.
There are currently 1,150 persons employed as veterinary technicians in Louisiana.
Louisiana Vet Tech Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
If a career as a veterinary technician in Louisiana strongly appeals to you then it is a great time to pursue your dreams. The demand for vet techs has been steadily on the increase over the last ten years and is projected to grow by 14.7% over the coming years with an additional 14,330 jobs predicted to be created in the sector between 2016 and 2024.
The table below details salary and employment levels of veterinary technicians in the main towns and cities in Louisiana.
| Metro Area | Average Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $26,400 | $37,700 | $17,700 | 50 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $30,480 | $38,010 | $22,440 | - |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | $26,200 | $35,050 | $20,730 | 40 |
| Lafayette, LA | $24,410 | $40,800 | $16,390 | - |
| Lake Charles, LA | $25,000 | $32,180 | $17,730 | 80 |
| Monroe, LA | $28,420 | $42,830 | $20,350 | 60 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $24,950 | $31,410 | $17,620 | 420 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $26,580 | $33,680 | $19,950 | 180 |
Vet Tech V’s Related Careers
The first table compares salary and employment data between veterinary technicians and veterinarians and veterinary assistants in Louisiana.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech Louisiana | $26,000 | 1,150 |
| Veterinarian Louisiana | $83,130 | 840 |
| Vet Assistant Louisiana | $22,730 | 1,560 |
The table below compares average veterinary technician salary and employment in Louisiana with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $26,000 | 1,150 |
| Medical Assistants | $27,810 | 7,610 |
| Dental Assistants | $29,660 | 4,310 |
| Nursing Assistants | $21,880 | 20,550 |
| X Ray Tech | $55,610 | 680 |
| Ultrasound Tech | $58,040 | 920 |