Browse below to learn how to become a veterinary technician (vet tech) in Virginia (VA) including advice on top schools, certification and licensing requirements, salaries and employment data.
Requirements to become a Vet Tech in Virginia
If you wish to become a vet tech in Virginia 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 Virginia. As a final step you will need to obtain your license before securing employment as a veterinary technician.
Accredited Vet Tech Programs Virginia
| School | Area | Degree Level |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave, VA | Associate of Applied Science |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Sterling, VA | - |
There are currently 2 accredited veterinary technician programs in Virginia.
Programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).
Virginia Vet Tech Licensing
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 Virginia.
The Virginia 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: 9960 Mayland Dr., Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: 804-367-4497
Email: vetbd@dhp.virginia.gov
Website: http://www.dhp.virginia.gov
Vet Tech Salary Virginia
| Vet Tech Salary, VA | $37,050 |
| Hourly Wage | $17.81 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $49,290 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $26,520 |
| #'s Employed | 1,820 |
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2017) the average veterinary technician salary in Virginia is $37,050 – 7% above the national average of $34,710.
This represents an hourly wage of $17.81.
There are currently 1,820 persons employed as veterinary technicians in Virginia.
Virginia Vet Tech Careers by Metro Area
If a career as a veterinary technician in Virginia 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 Virginia.
| Metro Area | Average Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $32,480 | $39,590 | $25,610 | 50 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $38,250 | $50,720 | $27,620 | 120 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $38,100 | $48,100 | $28,580 | 40 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $29,340 | $39,270 | $19,680 | 70 |
| Richmond, VA | $34,140 | $46,280 | $25,870 | 370 |
| Roanoke, VA | $32,880 | $39,530 | $25,770 | 60 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | $33,690 | $45,670 | $25,990 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA | $35,770 | $41,390 | $28,760 | 360 |
| Winchester, VA | $28,080 | $37,420 | $18,360 | 50 |
Vet Tech Career Comparison Virginia
Is vet tech a good career in Virginia? How does vet tech fair as a career by comparison to other career options in Virginia? For answers to these questions see the tables below for career comparisons.
The first table compares salary and employment data between veterinary technicians and veterinarians and veterinary assistants in Virginia.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $37,050 | 1,820 |
| Veterinarian | $111,570 | 2,670 |
| Vet Assistant | $25,180 | 3,330 |
The table below compares average veterinary technician salary and employment in Virginia with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $37,050 | 1,820 |
| Medical Assistants | $33,690 | 13,630 |
| Nursing Assistants | $27,920 | 39,010 |
| X Ray Tech | $68,070 | 790 |
| Ultrasound Tech | $70,960 | 1,670 |
| Dental Assistants | $42,850 | 8,020 |