Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Veterinary technologists and technicians work in a growing health-focused field that combines science knowledge, hands-on skills, and close interaction with people and animals. National employment stands at 134,000, with projected employment growth of 9.1%. This growth, along with 14,000 annual openings, suggests consistent hiring needs over time. The national median annual salary is $45,980, with higher median pay available in some states and metro areas. Top skills for this career span both technical and people-focused strengths, including science, mathematics, mechanical ability, and strong customer service and interpersonal skills. Success in this role also relies on being detail oriented, adaptable, physically strong with good stamina, and capable of critical and analytical thinking. The career typically requires an associate’s degree, which can make it accessible for students seeking a shorter education pathway or career changers looking to enter the healthcare space. Overall, the occupation offers a structured entry route, defined skills, and measurable demand across the country.
The national median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is $45,980, but earnings can vary notably by location. Among the top states, median salaries range from $49,540 in Massachusetts and $49,650 in Colorado to $59,010 in New York, $59,740 in Washington, and $60,630 in California. Within major metro areas, typical pay can be even higher. Median salaries reach $67,280 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, $71,090 in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, and $59,680 in the New York-Newark-Jersey City region. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also show median salaries of $57,630 and $50,970, respectively. These differences highlight the importance of geographic choice for income potential. Overall, the data suggests that certain coastal states and metros, especially in California and the New York area, offer some of the strongest earning opportunities within this occupation.
Veterinary technologists and technicians have a national employment base of 134,000, with projected employment growth of 9.1%. This projected growth is paired with 14,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing job opportunities from both new positions and turnover. The single, consistent growth rate of 9.1% appears across the top states and metro areas listed, suggesting broadly similar projected expansion in multiple regions. The combination of current employment, measurable projected growth, and a steady flow of annual openings points to a career path with defined labor-market demand. For students and career changers, these figures provide a quantitative view of opportunity: there is an established workforce size, clear plans for additional employment, and recurring hiring needs. Individuals considering this field can use the growth and openings data, alongside salary and location details, to plan where and how they might pursue training and eventual employment as a veterinary technologist or technician.
Location can significantly shape opportunity for veterinary technologists and technicians. At the state level, California stands out with a median salary of $60,630 and employment of 11,310, combined with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington also offer notable opportunity scores ranging from 56.29 to 65.87, with median salaries near or above $49,500 and all showing the same 9.1% projected growth. New York and Washington provide relatively high median salaries around $59,000–$59,740. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ lead by opportunity score, at 77.42 and 77.27 respectively, both with strong median salaries. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA shows the highest listed median pay at $71,090. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also combine sizable employment with solid salaries and opportunity scores above 63. These patterns suggest that both state and metro choice can influence salary levels and overall opportunity within the field.
Veterinary technologists and technicians typically enter the field with an associate’s degree. This creates a defined, two-year-oriented education path for many students and career changers who want to move into a health-related occupation without pursuing a longer academic program. The skill profile associated with this career is broad, blending technical and interpersonal strengths. Science and mathematics support the analytical side of the work, while mechanical skills and project management help with practical, process-focused tasks. Being detail oriented and demonstrating strong critical and analytical thinking are important for accuracy and sound judgment. Physical strength and stamina are also key, indicating the role can be physically demanding. On the people side, customer service and interpersonal skills matter for interacting effectively with others. Adaptability rounds out the skill set, helping professionals respond to changing situations. Together, the associate’s degree foundation and this mix of skills frame what aspiring veterinary technologists and technicians should aim to develop during their preparation.
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