Even though the vet tech salary isn’t among the highest in the United States, it certainly is a rewarding profession from multiple points of view. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the vet tech annual salary is currently $31,800, while the vet tech average salary per hour is $15.29. This makes the average salary of a vet tech considerably lower than the national average for all occupations, which is $36,200. The U.S. News and World Report adds that the 75th percentile earn $37,590, while the 25th percentile – $25,740. Nevertheless, there are several factors that can have an impact on a registered vet tech salary. Location, employer and experience can all make your vet tech salary either higher or lower than the U.S. median. Learn more about what can influence your future certified vet tech salary if you are studying to become one below.
Vet Tech Salary Influencers
1. Industry
First of all, vet tech salaries are strongly connected to their workplace and their specialization. For instance, the average equine vet tech salary in the United States will be different from a zoo vet tech salary. Unfortunately, data collected from surveys doesn’t show the main differences in the average salary for vet tech based on their specialization. If you are looking to become a particular kind of veterinary technician, you can do individual research on your employers to see what the vet tech salary ranges are for that position.
2. Geographic Area
What we do have information on is the average salary of vet tech professionals according to location. From this point of view, you will find out some surprising facts about the highest vet techs salary ranges in the country. First of all, did you know that the top-paying state for vet techs was Alaska? The average salary vet tech professionals get in this state is $42,090, noticeably higher than the U.S. median for all occupations. The vet tech salary in MA (Massachusetts) is a close runner-up, with $42,020 annually. A few other states that offer a large animal vet tech salary are:
- Average vet tech salary NY employees get – $40,810
- Vet tech salary in California – $38,600
- Licensed vet tech salary in Connecticut – $37,850
- Vet tech specialist salary in Washington – $36,530
- Vet tech yearly salary in Missouri – $36,140
You also might be interested in the vet tech salary range for these locations:
- Vet tech salary in Ohio – $34,180
- Vet tech salary in Texas – $29,740
- Vet tech salary in Florida – $30,930
You should also consider the following five states for their employment rates, as you have the highest chances of getting hired in these locations: California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and New York.
On the flip side, there are some states with a painfully low annual salary of a vet tech. These include:
- Average vet tech salary in Idaho – $27,640
- Vet tech assistant salary in Utah – $27,550
- Licensed veterinary technician salary in Louisiana – $27,270
- Starting salary for vet tech in Arkansas – $26,380
- Vet tech starting salary in West Virginia – $26,210
3. Experience
The experience of a vet tech (or lack thereof) can obviously influence the vet tech salary they receive. To put it shortly, your status as a Rvt Veterinary Technician is literally tens of thousands of dollars away from that of a Registered Veterinarian Technician. In this regard, Indeed offers provides average salaries in careers with animals that branch out from various stages of being a veterinary technician:
- Rvt Veterinary Technician – $18,000
- Veterinary Technician Certified Assistant – $23,000
- Senior Animal Technician – $27,000
- Clinical Veterinary Technician – $32,000
- Veterinary Research Health Technician – $41,000
- Registered Veterinarian Technician – $51,000
Working Hours and Environment
Vet Tech Salary by State
| State | Annual mean wage ($) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 29,180 |
| Alaska | 42,090 |
| Arizona | 29,950 |
| Arkansas | 26,380 |
| California | 38,600 |
| Colorado | 30,530 |
| Connecticut | 37,850 |
| Delaware | 30,890 |
| District of Columbia | 33,490 |
| Florida | 30,930 |
| Georgia | 29,850 |
| Hawaii | 31,110 |
| Idaho | 27,640 |
| Illinois | 32,940 |
| Indiana | 29,880 |
| Iowa | 31,350 |
| Kansas | 29,900 |
| Kentucky | 28,800 |
| Louisiana | 27,270 |
| Maine | 33,390 |
| Maryland | 35,330 |
| Massachusetts | 42,020 |
| Michigan | 31,300 |
Bonuses and Benefit Packages
As the vet tech salary is relatively low, especially compared with most other jobs in America, it is important to take benefits, bonuses and other perks into consideration. These packages and incentives vary from employer to employer, but most clinics will offer the veterinary technicians that work there some sort of dental and medical insurance plans. Employees can also get considerable discounts on medication, surgeries and vaccinations. Your employer might also pay for your continuing training, so make sure to ask about this aspect during your interview.
Job Outlook
Even though the vet tech salary isn’t that appealing for some candidates, a great piece of news is that more and more job opportunities will appear in the following years. The BLS estimates that there will be a 19% increase in vet tech employment until 2024. This is not only much higher than the total for all occupations (7%), but it’s also greater than the percent change expected for health technologists and technicians in general (16%).
Please note that vet techs need at least an associate’s degree to be eligible for the average vet tech salary. There is also a wide range of other certifications and training programs that you can look into if you want to become a better professional in this field and increase your chances of getting hired.
Conclusion
To wrap up our guide, we have to admit that the vet tech salary isn’t the most impressive, compared to numerous other occupations in the United States. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful and admirable profession for those who love animals and want to make a true difference in their lives. Vet techs also get multiple benefits and bonuses, so these can make up for the relatively low vet tech salary. Make sure that you seek specific information about the veterinary technician salary that your potential employer offers and consider taking additional courses and training programs to boost your employment chances.
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