Find accredited Vet Tech training programs near you
$38,240
Avg. Salary
20%
Job Growth
18-24 months
Program Length
164
Schools Listed
Veterinary technicians work alongside veterinarians to provide medical care to animals β taking vitals, drawing blood, assisting in surgery, running lab work, taking radiographs, and educating clients. It's one of the fastest-growing careers in the country and a rewarding path for animal lovers willing to handle the emotional and physical demands.
Vet tech suits compassionate people who can stay composed under pressure and communicate well with both animals and people. The work is physical (lifting, restraining), emotionally challenging (euthanasias, neglect cases), and requires comfort with bodily fluids.
In a small-animal clinic: take patient histories, run pre-anesthetic bloodwork, monitor anesthesia during surgery, take dental and radiographic images, fill prescriptions, educate owners. Emergency clinic work is faster-paced with more critical cases. Specialty practices (cardiology, oncology) offer deep technical learning.
Earning certifications like CVT/RVT/LVT and VTNE Exam can increase your employability and qualify you for higher-paying positions. Many Vet Tech training programs include certification prep as part of the curriculum.
Vet Tech is not one job β it's a family of related roles. Choosing a specialization early can shape your training, certifications, and earning ceiling.
Most common role. Mix of wellness, surgery, dental.
Higher pay, faster pace, often nights/weekends.
Deep technical work in referral hospitals.
Field-based work with horses and livestock.
Universities and pharma. AALAS-aligned.
Local hiring conditions matter more than national averages. These states currently have the strongest combination of employer demand, training infrastructure, and pay.
Highest vet tech wages in the country
Strong veterinary specialty hospitals along the Front Range
Large companion-animal market
High pet ownership and year-round demand
Phoenix-area specialty and ER practices
$38,240
National median salary
20%
10-year job growth
18-24 months
Typical training length
Realistic pay range
$32,000β$50,000
Entry to experienced
Training cost range
$8,000β$25,000
Public to private programs
2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Graniteville, SC 29829
$6,000
12 months
View Details β1247 Jimmie Kerr Road, Graham, NC 27253
$5,056
2 years
View Details β4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, CA 95841
$3,000
12-24 months
View Details β1000 Iowa Street, Beebe, AR 72012
$3,360
9-12 months
View Details β340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801
$5,764
2 years
View Details β800 US Highway 29 North, Athens, Georgia 30601
$5,500
18 months
View Details βShowing 6 of 164 schools. Select a state in the sidebar to view all schools in your area.
Most programs are 18-24 months for an associate degree from an AVMA-accredited school. AVMA accreditation matters because it lets you sit for the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam) for state credentialing.
Most states require credentialing as CVT, RVT, or LVT depending on the state β earned by passing the VTNE after graduating from an AVMA-accredited program. A few states still allow uncredentialed techs but the trend is toward required credentialing.
BLS median is $38,240 β modest compared to other 2-year credentials. Pay rises faster in specialty/ER practice and in high-cost metros. The work is rewarding for the right person, but go in with realistic financial expectations.