Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarian Technician/Technologist
To be a successful Veterinarian Technician/Technologist you should...
enjoy working with people and animals, be a self-starter.
What will my job be like?
Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians in many ways. Their responsibilities include taking X-rays; performing laboratory tests; obtaining and recording information about cases; and preparing animals, instruments, equipment, and medication for examination and surgery. Technicians/technologists may also manage an office and coordinate hospital care.
Where could I work?
Veterinary technicians/technologists work in private veterinary centers, diagnostic and research laboratories, veterinary supply businesses, schools of veterinary medicine, and other areas dealing with animal care.
Other workplace settings:
- Agribusiness
- Biomedical Research
- Governmental Agencies
- Herd Health Managers
- Humane Societies
- Military Service
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Teaching
- Zoo/Wildlife Medicine
- Retail Stores
Average Annual Salary
$43,740 per year
What is the future of this career?
Employment of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 25,800 openings for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Type of Education/Training
The course of formal study entails at least two academic years, leading to an Associate in Applied Science or equivalent degree, with 4-year degrees available at some institutions. Veterinary technicians are trained through an accredited technical associate degree program in the community college system. Veterinary technologists are trained through an accredited baccalaureate degree program in a 4·year college or university.
Where could I get the education/training?
- CT State Middlesex
- CT State Northwestern
- CT State Norwalk
Licensing/Certification
Licensure is not required in the state of Connecticut.
More Information
American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173
800-248-2862
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
750 Route 202, Suite 200
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
888-996-2882
