Browse below to learn how to become a veterinary technician (vet tech) in South Carolina (SC) including advice on top schools, certification and licensing requirements, salaries and employment data.
How to become a Vet Tech in South Carolina
If you wish to become a vet tech in South Carolina 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 South Carolina. Finally, you will need to obtain your license before securing employment as a veterinary technician.
Accredited Vet Tech Programs in SC
| School | Area | Degree Level |
|---|---|---|
| Piedmont Technical College | Newberry, SC | Associate in Health Science |
| Tri-County Technical College | Pendleton, SC | Associate in Applied Science |
| Trident Technical College | Moncks Corner, SC | Associate in Allied Health Sciences |
There are currently 3 accredited veterinary technician programs in South Carolina.
Programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).
Vet Tech License in SC
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 South Carolina.
The South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners can provide more specific information on all the necessary certification and licensing requirements. You can contact them directly using the contact details below:
Phone: 803-896-4598
Email: nancy.flores@llr.sc.gov
Website: http://www.llr.state.sc.us
Vet Tech Salary SC
| Average Vet Tech Salary in SC | $30,930 |
|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $14.87 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $42,390 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $21,030 |
| #'s Employed | 1,790 |
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2017) the average veterinary technician salary in South Carolina is $30,930 – 11% below the national average of $34,710.
This equals an hourly wage of $14.87.
There are currently 1,790 persons employed as veterinary technicians in South Carolina.
Vet Tech Careers by Metro Area in SC
If a career as a veterinary technician in South Carolina 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 South Carolina.
| Metro Area | Average Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $28,530 | $38,940 | $20,530 | 610 |
| Columbia, SC | $33,760 | $44,210 | $25,830 | - |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | $37,140 | $49,420 | $26,300 | 290 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | $30,640 | $38,950 | $22,020 | 90 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $31,750 | $40,090 | $22,340 | 100 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $27,510 | $38,470 | $17,790 | 100 |
Vet Tech Career Comparisons SC
Is vet tech a good career in SC? How does vet tech fair as a career by comparison to other career options in SC? 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 South Carolina.
| Vet Careers, SC | Salary | # Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $30,930 | 1,790 |
| Veterinarian | $105,830 | 760 |
| Vet Assistant | $24,570 | 1,110 |
Related Health Careers
The table below compares average veterinary technician salary and employment in South Carolina with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.
| Related Careers, SC | Salary | # Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $30,930 | 1,790 |
| Nursing Assistants | $24,810 | 20,730 |
| Medical Assistants | $31,080 | 9,540 |
| Dental Assistants | $38,110 | 4,400 |
| X Ray Tech | $61,400 | 520 |
| Ultrasound Tech | $64,820 | 690 |