As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Veterinary Technicians earn an average of $38,250 per year, while Veterinary Assistants earn an average of $31,780 per year. Therefore, the salary for Veterinary Technicians is higher than that of Veterinary Assistants.
Nevertheless, it's worth mentioning that the salary of an employee can be influenced by factors such as location and experience. For example, Veterinary Technicians working in Washington DC (with a wage of $68,110 on average) may have higher salaries than those in Mississippi ($28,300). To provide another instance, Veterinary Assistants in Maine have an average income that is 63% higher compared to those in Mississippi.
Veterinary Technicians vs Veterinary Assistants overview
Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants are two important occupations in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry. There is a common interest in understanding the differences between these job titles, as well as the average pay for each.
Veterinary Technician job description
Alternative names: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Veterinary Technicians perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
Veterinary Technician education and experience
Among Veterinary Technicians, 41% have obtained a High School Diploma, 26% hold an Associate's Degree, and 15% have a Post-Secondary Certificate. Regarding experience, about a third of Veterinary Technician occupations require a 6 months to 1 year of previous experience working in the field. A smaller portion of roles (20%) require no previous experience.
Veterinary Technician average salary
As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the number of Veterinary Technicians employed in the United States was 118,670, and they earned an average of $38,250 per year. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $28,370 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $48,100 or more. The average salary has an increase of 1% in comparison to the previous year.
Do Veterinary Technicians make good money?
Veterinary Technicians salaries are generally not as competitive as those of other professions, since their mean salary is about a third below the average pay in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they make 58% less than the mean salary of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry ($91,150).
Veterinary Technicians salaries are generally not as competitive as those of other professions, since their mean salary is about a third below the average pay in the United States ($58,260).
Veterinary Technicians job growth
In 2021, there have been 9,180 more Veterinary Technician job opportunities than the previous year across the nation, and that shows an increase of 8.4%. The average job growth rate for the past 3 years has been 3.7%.
Veterinary Assistant job description
Alternative names: Vet Assistants, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Veterinary Assistants feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.
Veterinary Assistant education and experience
Most Veterinary Assistants (78%) have completed a High School Diploma. But additionally, among employees with this job title, there are also some with a Post-Secondary Certificate (11%) and a Less than a High School Diploma (6%). Regarding experience, 35% of Veterinary Assistant occupations require no previous experience. A smaller number of roles (25%) require a previous experience of 6 months to 1 year.
Veterinary Assistant average salary
According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Veterinary Assistants employed by the United States in 2021 was 98,970, and on average, they earned $31,780 per year. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $22,920 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $38,860 or more. The average salary has increased by 2.6% in comparison to the previous year.
Do Veterinary Assistants make good money?
Veterinary Assistants salaries are often not as high as those of other professions, since their mean salary is about a half below the average salary in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they make 65% less than the mean earnings of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry ($91,150).
Veterinary Assistants salaries are often not as high as those of other professions, since their mean salary is about a half below the average salary in the United States ($58,260).
FAQ
Do Veterinary Technicians or Veterinary Assistants make more?
Veterinary Technicians make 20% more than Veterinary Assistants. The average annual salary for Veterinary Assistants is $31,780, while Veterinary Technicians earn $38,250 per year.
How long does it take to become a Veterinary Technician vs Veterinary Assistant?
Both Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants typically only need a High School Diploma, so further education is not required.
Is it harder to become a Veterinary Technician vs Veterinary Assistant?
Neither job title is more challenging to attain than the other, as they both require the same type of education.