Browse below to learn how to become a veterinary technician (vet tech) in West Virginia (WV) including advice on top schools, certification and licensing requirements, salaries and employment data.
Steps to become a Vet Tech in WV
If you wish to become a vet tech in West Virginia it is a requirement that you have graduated from an accredited vet tech 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 West Virginia. As a final step you will need to obtain your license before securing employment as a veterinary technician.
Top Vet Tech Programs in WV
| School | Area | Degree Level |
|---|---|---|
| Carver Career Center / BridgeValley Community and Technical College | Charleston, WV | Associate of Applied Science |
| Mountwest Community & Technical College | Huntington, WV | Associate of Allied Science |
| Pierpont Community & Technical College | Fairmont, WV | Associate of Applied Science |
There are currently 3 accredited vet tech programs in West Virginia.
Schools and programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).
WV Vet Tech License 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 West Virginia.
The West 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: 5509 Big Tyler Rd, Suite 3, Cross Lanes, WV 25313
Phone: 304-776-8032
Email: patricia.a.holstein@wv.gov
Website: http://www.wvbvm.org/
Vet Tech Salary in WV
| Average Vet Tech Salary | $29,250 |
|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $14.06 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $38,380 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $21,080 |
| #'s Employed | 330 |
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2017) the average veterinary technician salary in West Virginia is $29,250 – 16% below the national average of $34,710.
This equates to an hourly wage of $14.06.
There are currently 330 persons employed as veterinary technicians in West Virginia.
Vet Tech Careers by Metro Area in WV
If a career as a veterinary technician in West 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 West Virginia.
| Metro Area | Average Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, WV | $31,310 | $39,730 | $24,860 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV | $30,500 | $39,170 | $21,410 | 70 |
| Morgantown, WV | $32,320 | $41,430 | $25,010 | 40 |
Vet Tech V’s Related Careers in WV
Is vet tech a good career in WV? How does vet tech fair as a career by comparison to other career options in WV? For answers to these questions see the tables below for career comparisons.
Veterinarian Careers WV
The first table compares salary and employment data between veterinary technicians and veterinarians and veterinary assistants in West Virginia.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $29,250 | 330 |
| Veterinarian | $92,820 | 330 |
| Vet Assistant | $22,970 | 590 |
Related Health Careers WV
The table below compares average veterinary technician salary and employment in West Virginia with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $29,250 | 330 |
| Medical Assistants | $27,270 | 3,280 |
| Nursing Assistants | $25,990 | 7,900 |
| Dental Assistants | $29,860 | 1,230 |
| X Ray Tech | $64,910 | 190 |
| Ultrasound Tech | $60,870 | 520 |