Please Note: This page has been updated in 2021 to reflect the most up-to-date veterinary technician salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
If you are interested in becoming a Veterinary Technician (also referred to as a Vet Techs and Vet Technicians) then you will be pleased to know that both salary and employment levels for vet techs have been increasing steadily. In fact, vet techs now earn 46% more than they did in 2000, and demand for Vet Techs has increased by a massive 94%.
The good news is this trend is set to continue.
Average Vet Tech salary
| Average Vet Technician Salary | $33,870 |
| Hourly wage for Veterinary Technicians | $16.29 |
| 90th Percentile of Earners | $48,330 |
| 10th Percentile of Earners | $22,340 |
How much does a vet tech make?
According to the most recent data provided by the Bureau for Labor Statistics (May 2020), the average veterinary technician salary in the USA is $33,870. This represents a very slight increase in 2019 salary levels of $33,280.
Those in the top 10% pay bracket for the profession earn an average annual salary of $48,330 whilst those in the bottom 10% and in entry-level positions earn just $22,340.
Income potential is particularly influenced by where you live and work – from a low vet tech pay of $26,480 in Arkansas to a high of $43,760 in New York.
The range is more significant when you examine the data at a Metro or City level. Vet Techs working in Southeast Alabama earn an average salary of only $20,770 while those in Southeast Mississippi earn $48,190 representing a difference of over $27,000 per annum between the two localities.
How much have Vet Tech salaries risen?
As illustrated in the graph below salary levels have grown significantly since 2000. And whilst salaries have continued to grow between 2010 and 2015 a slight decrease in the pace of growth is evident.
Top paying States for Veterinary Technicians
The table below illustrates the top 5 States in which Vet Techs can earn the most – taking into consideration cost of living adjustments for each State. As is evident Veterinary Technicians working in New York, Alaska, Massachusetts, California, and Connecticut earn the most.
Veterinary Technicians in Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Utah earn the least.
| State | Salary | Above Verage |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $42,090 | 26.5% |
| Massachusetts | $42,020 | 26.3% |
| New York | $40,810 | 22.6% |
| California | $38,600 | 16.0% |
| Connecticut | $37,850 | 13.7% |
Vet Tech salaries by State
Browse the map below to find out how much do Vet Techs make in your area;
Vet Tech compared to Vet Salary and Vet Assistant Salary
Vet Salary
How much do vets make by comparison to vet techs?
Vet Assistant Salary
How much do vet assistants make by comparison to vet techs?
Vet Tech compared to related Healthcare Salaries
In the graph below we compare salary levels for Veterinary Technicians with salaries for similar careers in the healthcare industry. The graph shows data for the lower 10% of earners, the average salary for the career, and salary levels for the top 10% of earners in the career. As you can see Vet Techs (green line) fall somewhere in the median of income potential of all comparable careers.
Vet Tech Jobs and Employment Outlook
There are currently 99,390 people working as Veterinary Technicians in the USA. And according to the Bureau for Labor Statistics the outlook for jobs growth and opportunity for those who qualify as Veterinary Technicians is incredibly favorable. As illustrated in the graph below it is predicted that between 2016 and 2024 there will be 14,330 new positions created in the sector representing an increase of 14.7% in employment.
In summary, as a Vet Tech you can expect average salary levels but excellent employment prospects. As a Vet Tech you will have the opportunity to develop a wide variety of healthcare skills, more so than in any other healthcare role. For the right person it could be an extremely rewarding and enjoyable path to choose.