Browse below to learn how to become a veterinary technician (vet tech) in Illinois (IL) including advice on top schools near you, certification and licensing requirements, salary and employment data.
How to become a Veterinary Technician in Illinois
Licensing, certification and registration requirements for veterinary technicians vary by state.
If you wish to become a vet tech in Illinois 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 Illinois. You will then need to obtain your license before securing employment as a veterinary technician.
Accredited Vet Tech Programs in Illinois
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hawk College | Galva, IL | Program Page |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | Program Page |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | Program Page |
| Rockford Career College | Rockford, IL | Program Page |
| Vet Tech Institute at Fox College | Tinley Park, IL | Program Page |
There are currently 5 accredited veterinary technician programs in Illinois.
Programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).
Illinois 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 Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation can provide more specific information on all the necessary certification and licensing requirements. You can contact them directly using the contact details below:
Address: 320 West Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62786
Phone: 217-785-0800
Email: robert.gerton@illinois.gov
Website: http://ilga.gov
Vet Tech Salary Illinois
| Average Vet Tech Salary | $35,290 |
| Hourly Wage | $16.97 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $50,540 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $25,560 |
| #'s Employed | 4,040 |
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2017) the average veterinary technician salary in Illinois is $35,290 – 2% above the national average of $34,710.
This represents an hourly wage of $16.97.
There are currently 4,040 persons employed as veterinary technicians in Illinois.
Illinois Vet Tech Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
If a career as a veterinary technician in Illinois 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 Illinois.
| Metro Area | Average Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | $27,900 | $37,430 | $20,980 | - |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $36,700 | $48,590 | $27,170 | 240 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL | $36,940 | $52,400 | $26,680 | 2,180 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL | $35,960 | $50,660 | $26,250 | 2,940 |
| Elgin, IL | $31,330 | $39,760 | $24,240 | 190 |
| Lake County-Kenosha County, IL | $34,710 | $48,710 | $24,900 | 430 |
| Peoria, IL | $31,070 | $43,900 | $20,430 | 170 |
| Rockford, IL | $28,240 | $35,690 | $21,580 | - |
| Springfield, IL | $28,810 | $32,800 | $24,250 | - |
Vet Tech V’s Related Careers
The first table compares salary and employment data between veterinary technicians and veterinarians and veterinary assistants in Illinois.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech Illinois | $35,290 | 4,040 |
| Veterinarian Illinois | $96,440 | 2,800 |
| Vet Assistant Illinois | $27,780 | 2,360 |
The table below compares average veterinary technician salary and employment in Illinois with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $35,290 | 4,040 |
| Medical Assistants | $34,710 | 19,890 |
| Nursing Assistants | $27,770 | 61,390 |
| Dental Assistants | $39,030 | 12,710 |
| X Ray Tech | $70,580 | 1,570 |
| Ultrasound Tech | $74,340 | 2,740 |