Browse below to learn how to become a veterinary technician (vet tech) in Pennsylvania (PA) including advice on the top vet tech schools in your area, certification and licensing requirements, and salaries and employment data.
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How to become a Vet Tech in Pennsylvania
Licensing, certification and registration requirements for veterinary technicians vary by state.
If you wish to become a vet tech in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. As a final step, you will need to obtain your license before securing employment as a veterinary technician.
Best Accredited Vet Tech Programs in PA – 2023
| School | Area | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Western University | California, PA | Program Page |
| Harcum College | Bryn Mawr, PA | Program Page |
| Institute of Medical and Business Careers | Erie, PA | Program Page |
| Johnson College | Scranton, PA | Program Page |
| Lancaster County Career & Technology Center | Willow Street, PA | Program Page |
| Lehigh Carbon & Northampton Community Colleges | Bethlehem, PA | Program Page |
| Manor College | Jenkintown, PA | Program Page |
| Pittsburgh Career Institute | Pittsburgh, PA | Program Page |
| Vet Tech Institute | Pittsburgh, PA | Program Page |
| Wilson College | Chambersburg, PA | Program Page |
| YTI Career Institute | York, PA | Program Page |
There are currently 11 accredited veterinary technician programs in Pennsylvania.
Programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).
Pennsylvania Vet Tech License
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 Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania State 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:
Phone: 717-783-7134
Email: st-veterinary@state.pa.us
Website: http://www.pacode.com
Vet Tech Salary in PA
| Average Vet Tech Salary in PA | $35,880 |
|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $17.25 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $49,460 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $23,930 |
| #'s Employed | 5,650 |
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2017) the average veterinary technician salary in Pennsylvania is $35,880 – 3% above the national average of $34,710.
This equates to an hourly wage of $17.25.
There are currently 5,650 persons employed as veterinary technicians in Pennsylvania.
Vet Tech Careers by Metro Area in PA
If a career as a veterinary technician in Pennsylvania 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 the salary and employment levels of veterinary technicians in the main towns and cities in Pennsylvania.
| Metro Area | Average Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $35,950 | $48,270 | $24,770 | 330 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | $29,610 | $38,080 | $23,590 | 30 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | $31,770 | $45,260 | $21,070 | 70 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | $30,960 | $38,870 | $24,210 | 100 |
| Erie, PA | $34,280 | $49,730 | $21,790 | 90 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $31,110 | $38,530 | $23,390 | 40 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | (8) - | (8) - | (8) - | 170 |
| Johnstown, PA | $47,340 | $62,840 | $26,330 | - |
| Lancaster, PA | $35,650 | $48,320 | $26,160 | 220 |
| Lebanon, PA | $33,540 | $46,210 | $22,550 | 40 |
| Montgomery County-Bucks County-Chester County, PA | $39,860 | $49,700 | $31,480 | 1,230 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $39,150 | $55,450 | $26,970 | 750 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA | $37,960 | $49,900 | $27,060 | 2,840 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $31,460 | $44,030 | $21,590 | 1,540 |
| Reading, PA | $35,960 | $48,790 | $24,730 | 210 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | $35,560 | $47,080 | $26,540 | 210 |
| State College, PA | $32,800 | $43,590 | $21,810 | 100 |
| Williamsport, PA | $32,370 | $38,820 | $24,830 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $35,070 | $45,940 | $25,660 | - |
PA Vet Tech Careers Comparison
Is vet tech a good career in Pennsylvania? How does vet tech fair as a career by comparison to other career options in Pennsylvania? For answers to these questions see the tables below for career comparisons.
Veterinarian Careers
The first table compares salary and employment data between veterinary technicians and veterinarians and veterinary assistants in Pennsylvania.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $35,880 | 5,650 |
| Veterinarian | $106,420 | 2,990 |
| Vet Assistant | $26,910 | 2,530 |
Other Healthcare Careers
The table below compares the average veterinary technician salary and employment in Pennsylvania with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $35,880 | 5,650 |
| Medical Assistants | $31,980 | 28,260 |
| Nursing Assistants | $30,010 | 75,020 |
| Dental Assistants | $37,870 | 10,930 |
| X Ray Tech | $65,460 | 1,230 |
| Ultrasound Tech | $67,440 | 2,550 |