Show me the money...

What are typical veterinary technician salaries? Do some companies pay a lot more for this position than others? What does a top earner make in this field?

What skills should you learn to increase your salary?

A larger city pays more.

Get Certifide e.g. CVT/LVT

If I wanted to be rich, I wouldn't be in this field! I get my payment from the satifaction of working with the animals. I will be certified soon but that means nothing if all you want is more money. I do agree with Barry, though, small towns don't pay much.

I have been an equine vet tech for over 22 years. Our hospital starts techs at $9.00 per hour. It doesn't matter if you are an LVT, CVT , have a 4 year degree or anything of this nature. You stick with it, improve your skills over time, get CE as you can, be honest, show that you have integrity and compassion and enjoy your job. I don't know anyone in this field who does this for money. High end salaries hit b/t 50K to 60K per year.

Host said: What are typical veterinary technician salaries? Do some companies pay a lot more for this position than others? What does a top earner make in this field?

What skills should you learn to increase your salary?

I have been in the veterinary field for over 20 years as a veterinary technician. In that time I have worked in all sorts of capacities, technician on the floor in veterinary hospitals, assn manager, VPI liaison, relief technician and consultant (to mention a few). All had there sources of enrichment. All paid differently. I suggest you view the site salaryexperts.com. Salaries vary upon region.

Management differs in all practices. Choosing a hospital that is well managed is the key to success!! For years there has been blame placed upon the veterinarians for poor salaries. I feel this is unfair to the veterinarian community. Through well managed hospitals, veteriary technicians can reach new heights in their careers. Veterinary technicians who have a strong work ethic, positive attitude, honed skills and social capital are worth keeping on staff and paying what they are worth.

You asked about top earners. That is a rather tough question. A seasoned veterinary technician in a referral hospital may earn $50K in New York. A veterinary technician managing a hospital may earn $50K in CO. A veterinary technician working for a consulting firm may earn $100K in the Midwest.

To increase your salary, identify yourself as an outstanding technician to the clients and management. Outstanding technicians tend to patients with care and refined skills. Animal Welfare is a priority. Outstanding technicians are also curteous to co-workers, respectful of patients, communicate well with clients and offer the best care imaginable, consistently.

I appreciate that there are sites offering open dialogue and assistance for veterinary technicians and the support team.

RR

I am 22 years old i love what i do but always feel i am worth more. the harder you work though your pay slowly goes up i am currenlty at 9.00/hour and thats much improved since i was 16 doing kennels at 6.50/hour i look forward to busting my butt for my raise. its not a quick rich career but if your heart is in it, it is worth it

Your story sounds just about like mine! I started out at $6.50 too, and I am now finally making $10.00 an hour. I love animals, and most of the time enjoy my job alot. The only thing that bothers me is that vet techs only make like $30,000 a year, and do I really want to pay all the money to go to school to only make that crappy salary? This career is very hard actually, when it comes to all the busting butt that we do everyday. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN!!! So I often think of other careers that are way easier to do and pay way more! I'm not sure what my future choice is going to be, but I know I want to be able to take care of myself. Its up to you girl, you know in your heart what you want.

"You asked about top earners. That is a rather tough question. A seasoned veterinary technician in a referral hospital may earn $50K in New York. A veterinary technician managing a hospital may earn $50K in CO. A veterinary technician working for a consulting firm may earn $100K in the Midwest."

Hello! In a comment on indeed.com you had mentioned consulting firms that hire veterinary technicians. Do you know the names of the consulting firms by chance? I have been in the vet industry for 12 years and just received my MBA, so this caught my interest. Thanks!

As a newcomer in the industry I have found that we need to stick together and 'demand' a higher salary. As licensed and professional individuals we must continue to give credibility to the job. Certification is a must.

I agree with bigger cities paying more money. Especially if you're in a specialty clinic. I also think the more employees in the practice the lower the pay skill can be. I went from a 6 doctor practice making $10/hr to a one doctor practice where I am the sole technician at $18/hr. Obviously didn't get a 7 dollar raise overnight. But I did get a $4/hr raise to start. Surprisingly I make more at my day practice than at either of the 2 Emergency Clinics I work at. Sadly between the 3 jobs and avg. of 60hrs/week I only make about 49k/yr. If you want to make money in this field look into sales. Reps working in this area often start out with a base salary around $50k plus comisson so avg. 120k/yr per my friend in sales. I myself am looking at transferring into sales after 10y in this field. I would just rather not have to relocate.

The way to go is to get licensed!!!
in NYC its easy to make mid 20's per hour with peak to mid to high 30's/hour.
Oh, this is for a "seasoned" LVT and for newbies, expect high teens to low 20's per hour.

you can also get an additional specialty license, there are several

www.navta.net/career_dev/specialties.php

Can anyone explain the difference between being a registered, certified, or licensed vet tech and what is in most demand? Also, can anyone suggest a good school around the Rocky Mountain Region? I'm in MT and I know there isn't anything around this state. Thanks!

The different labels tend to be based on regional location. RVT's are west coast. LVT's east coast and CVT central. If you have your heart set on school go to schools that offer other medical courses not business colleges. Example: in MN Argosy is the school of choice for employers not MSB Minnesota School of Business which also offers a tech program. The difference is whether or not you get to work with actual animals; which is a huge deal. Argosy has animals on location which you can learn to draw blood from and such. MSB you learn it in a book and then get limited if any hands on. Either way schools around here will run 40k for the program and I know many techs that make good pay by just working there way up the ranks and never went to school. With that being said schooling all depends on what you want to do. If you want to specialize, work at a University, or Emergency clinic then you should go to school. If you plan to work in a little town in the middle of nowhere don't waste your money. If you start out as even a kennel person, work your way up and are good at what you do most employers don't care about certification. If you want to be rich don't be a Vet Tech. If you want to like going to work everyday then maybe it's for you.

Thanks TJ, that's great information. I appreciate your response.

That's not true, MSB gets animals from Lost Found & Foster and we do plenty of hands on.

I'm sure some of them do. The one next to my clinic the students bring their own pets in though.

Oh okay. I thought they all animals provided.

TJ in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: The different labels tend to be based on regional location. RVT's are west coast. LVT's east coast and CVT central. If you have your heart set on school go to schools that offer other medical courses not business colleges. Example: in MN Argosy is the school of choice for employers not MSB Minnesota School of Business which also offers a tech program. The difference is whether or not you get to work with actual animals; which is a huge deal. Argosy has animals on location which you can learn to draw blood from and such. MSB you learn it in a book and then get limited if any hands on. Either way schools around here will run 40k for the program and I know many techs that make good pay by just working there way up the ranks and never went to school. With that being said schooling all depends on what you want to do. If you want to specialize, work at a University, or Emergency clinic then you should go to school. If you plan to work in a little town in the middle of nowhere don't waste your money. If you start out as even a kennel person, work your way up and are good at what you do most employers don't care about certification. If you want to be rich don't be a Vet Tech. If you want to like going to work everyday then maybe it's for you.

I have been in the field for 18 years at the same practice. I now am a practice manager as well as Tecnician. As the one who does the hiring, I would not care where you went to school. Only that you are a CVT with good refrences.

It mainly depends on the state legislature of where you live - CA has regulations on what a licensed technician can do and what non-licenses staff can do. Texas where I live doesn't seem to give a care, but I went to school and became licensed anyway, then I went and became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practioner through the University of Tennessee. I work in a referral hospital and if it wasn't for my husband I wouldn't be able to live on what I make. If I lived in Chicago, California, or NY, I would be fine. It is all about demand and the power of the veterinary legislative lobbyists. Good luck - there are a ton of distance programs out there, they are good programs, I am a graduate of the CVC one.

Holly in Waynesville, North Carolina said: If I wanted to be rich, I wouldn't be in this field! I get my payment from the satifaction of working with the animals. I will be certified soon but that means nothing if all you want is more money. I do agree with Barry, though, small towns don't pay much.

Your pay WILL get smaller and smaller with the more schools out there graduating people. There are many out there pushing these degrees, and, I believe there is not near as much need out there. Good Luck my friend, and talk to you later.

Education is highly important if you are looking at a career rather than just a job. This is because owners are expecting better and more specialized care for thier pets than they did in the past. And because vets are realizing that technicians can make a big difference in the bottom line for their practice. So contrary to what others may think, there is a need for education. Especially when you consider that the degree you earn to take the North American Veterinary Technician Exam is just a good base of knowledge and is nowhere near what there is out there to learn. Besides just certified technicians, there are now technician specialists who have put more time and effort into studying a particular aspect of veterinary medicine.

Having a degree in veterinary technology will make you more marketable. Getting it from a well-respected school matters because the person hiring you can feel more confident that you have a good base of information and training already which means that you will need less intensive training on-the-job. I have been involved in interviewing potential employees and have been looking for a job and in both situations I have seen the vets ask very specific questions about the school attended because IT MATTERS.

The difference between RVT,LVT and CVT has to do with legal status and what kind of group awards the credentials. It is not so much regional as state by state as each one makes their own laws governing the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology. Certification is granted by a private organization and confers no legal status. Registration also carries no legal status, it is voluntary. However Registration is overseen by a government organisation rather than a private one. Licensure conveys legal status a as a professional and also brings some legal responsibility. I In states where licensure is required, presenting yourself as a veterinary technician when you are not licensed can lead to legal action.

(cont.)

Licensure is legal permission to perform certain actions granted by a governing body. (Roxanne, we aren't licensed in Texas--but we are trying to be. Check out the RVT update in Texas Veterinarian Magazine)

Salaries will vary from state to state and clinic to clinic, but making yourself as valuable as possible will help you to be paid better. Research facilities, specialty clinics, big city facilities will tend to pay better--but remember that it all really comes down to how good you are at what you do.

CindyRVT in Henderson, Texas said: (cont.)

Licensure is legal permission to perform certain actions granted by a governing body. (Roxanne, we aren't licensed in Texas--but we are trying to be. Check out the RVT update in Texas Veterinarian Magazine)

Salaries will vary from state to state and clinic to clinic, but making yourself as valuable as possible will help you to be paid better. Research facilities, specialty clinics, big city facilities will tend to pay better--but remember that it all really comes down to how good you are at what you do.

There is Licensure in Texas - I am a TEXAS LICENSED technician, but the veterinarians are slow to utilize what we know and can do. Likewise most would rather pay an OTJ technician a lower salary than pay for someone with credentials, some even refuse to hire someone with credentials (there is an ER in my area that is one of these, although perhaps it is just the manager that is this way). I sincerely hope that the Texas technicians are able to lobby the TVMA into following other states in their technician legislation, and I further understand that there is supposed to be new legislation that is going into effect, I think, in 2010 to help those of us who love to work with the animals in a field that we love, however I don't see the veterinarians supporting us when they can hire someone off the street and train them paying them lower wages.

Roxanne Mazurkiewicz in Dallas, Texas said: There is Licensure in Texas - I am a TEXAS LICENSED technician, but the veterinarians are slow to utilize what we know and can do. Likewise most would rather pay an OTJ technician a lower salary than pay for someone with credentials, some even refuse to hire someone with credentials (there is an ER in my area that is one of these, although perhaps it is just the manager that is this way). I sincerely hope that the Texas technicians are able to lobby the TVMA into following other states in their technician legislation, and I further understand that there is supposed to be new legislation that is going into effect, I think, in 2010 to help those of us who love to work with the animals in a field that we love, however I don't see the veterinarians supporting us when they can hire someone off the street and train them paying them lower wages.

Roxanne,
I beg to differ. Technicians in Texas are Registered by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. We are not licensed, we have no legal standing, etc. Veterinarians are the only veterinary medical professionals who are licensed by the state of Texas.

The Texas Veterinary Medical Association and many vets in Texas are behind us on getting licensure for technicians in this state. In Sept of 2008, there was only 1 disenting vote on the TVMA Board concerning looking into licensure for technicians. TVMA now has a task force that is looking at the interest in getting technicians licensed and in the steps that would have to be taken and the kind of changes that would have to be made to the state statutes should we become license. There was a meeting of the Technician Oversight Committee and the Licensure Task Force last month at the TVMA meeting the current goal is to determine the interest of technicians (and CVA's) in persuing licensure. I have been involved in gathering information on what licensure of technicians in other stats has required as far

(cont.)
as legislation that has to be written.

Cindy Dittmar, RVT
Secretary, Texas Association of Registered Veterinary Technicians
www.tarvt.org

PS. I'm the person who wrote the articles in Texas Veterinarian Magazine about licensure for technicians ;) And the candidate for next president of our state vet tech assoc.

Forgot this in the last post.
Please take a look at this link, Roxanne:
www.tvma.org/RVTs_and_CVAs/documents/RVTFAQs09.pdf

The first question is are RVTs licensed in Texas and the answer is "no".

CindyRVT in Henderson, Texas said: Forgot this in the last post.
Please take a look at this link, Roxanne:
www.tvma.org/RVTs_and_CVAs/documents/RVTFAQs09.pdf

The first question is are RVTs licensed in Texas and the answer is "no".

i see on tarvt you have a vet tech school. i want to attend and live in missouri. how much is tuition and classes and do you have dorms. and is a RVT the highest 2 year program.? id like to get started next semester thank you melissa

Melissa,
There are several programs in the US that offer an associates degree in veterinary technology. You just want to be sure that you choose one that is AVMA accredited otherwise you may very well not be able to sit for the National Veterinary Technician Exam. Even if there isn't a program in your area, you can choose to earn your degree online so long as you are working for a veterinarian and he or an RVT/LVT/CVT are willing to mentor you to sign off on your hands on skills. To find a list of schools, go to the bottom of this page: www.navta.net/index.php?pr=Education

"RVT" is not a program, it's a set of credentials. The credentials available to you may be something different such as Licensed Veterinary Technician or Certified Veterinary Technician---it depends on state laws. The 2 degree programs available are an associates degree and a bachelors degree---one being a 2 year program and the other being a 4 year program. However, the bachelors degree program is available only in limited areas. For those who don't have a bachelor's degree program available locally, if an associates degree has already been earned the bachelor's degree can be finished online through St. Petersburg in Florida but the cost is exhorbitant.

Cindy,
I am sorry if I offended you, however, I thought that the Texas Veterinary Medical Association was a governing body, being that they regulate what veterinarians can and cannot do.

Melissa -

The Cedar Valley College program is an applied associates degree, they do have a distance program. There is also a program that is AVMA accredited at San Juan College in New Mexico, it is less expensive if finances are a concern, and it is ran by the same people that started the Cedar Valley College program.

Roxanne,
You didn't offend me, I just keep getting floored by how little people in the profession understand about the governance of that profession. And I strive to make sure that RVT's in Texas have the correct information. (You would be amazed at the number of DVM's who don't know the difference between an RVT and a CVA.)
TVMA is not a governing body and they do not regulate what veterinarians can and cannot do. Veterinarians in Texas are governed by the the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the laws of Texas. TVMA is a social organization for veterinarians that helps to support veterinarians in Texas in continuing to grow as professionals. Besides working for the veterinary profession, they provide testing opportunites and voluntary credentialing of veterinary technicians in Texas, but are not a legal governing body.

I can't speak for other clinics, but the clinic I am more than likely going to be working for (I have a working interview next week so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!), the starting pay is $10 an hour. But this is also a very new clinic so she obviously can't afford to pay a whole lot to start. The clinic has only been open for a year and it's a 1 doctor practice with 2 other techs. Which I am totally okay with since it's my first actual tech job. Starting out is $10 but after 2-3 months I would go up to $11 and obviously get raises every so often after that.

Hey All,
I have a question, and it may sound silly.
I am a LVT (Licensed in NY). I just moved to Texas and will be taking the Texas State Exam this friday. Now when I pass this exam I will be registered to work in the State of Texas....
My license has not yet expired in the State of NY.
Will I be a LVT or RVT??
Or both??

Your licensure in NY will be valid in that state only. When you are practicing in Texas, you will present yourself as an RVT only.

However, in forums that span more than one state (online forums, lectures that you may give, etc) you can put both titles behind your name so long as you still hold those titles in the state that they are given in.

Welcome to Texas!
If I can be of any help, please feel free to contact me.

Cindy D., RVT
President-Elect,
Texas Association of Registered Veterinary Technicians
cindyd@tarvt.org
www.tarvt.org

Thank You!

I am having trouble finding a CHRISTIAN Vet Tech College. A 2 yr. avma. THank You. I hope you can help!?

I have not seen an AVMA accredited program through a Christian college that I recall. There are 120 different approved programs on the AVMA website, so you may just have to go through the list and look for one.

I just went for a interview/tour of the Vet Tech Institute of Houston.. has anyone heard anything good or bad? I know its a new program. They said their first students just graduated last year. It's $30,000+. For 18 mos. I really am having a tough time deciding whether or not to go. I've been a vet tech (with limited experience- 6 months). So, should i really take out these loans to pay for school, will i reasonably be able to pay them back?? I'm thinking you all would know better than I would..

I do have alot of experience with animals in general and with my past jobs, but I dont know if thats enough or whether i need to do this..

thank you so much, this is a tough decision

Julie,
I would recommend going ahead with school. However, I would look into other schools than that one if the cost is prohibitive. I know that there are other schools that aren't that expensive. Including San Juan in New Mexico--they have a distance education program you could take it you are working in a practice. And talk to the school officers about the different student loans and grants to see if you qualify for something that would help you bring the overall cost of your education down.

Also remember that the Texas Association of Registered Veterinary Technicians offers scholarships yearly to it's members who are going into their 2nd year of school. (You don't have to be an RVT to join.) www.tarvt.org

TVMA and TARVT are both working towards licensure for veterinary technicians in the state and that is going to mean that to work as a "veterinary technician" you will need to have an education. (That doesn't mean that you will have to have the education to work in a veterinary hospital, just that you won't be able to use the term "veterinary technician" or likely perform certain duties unless you are licensed.)

I'm about to start school this fall for vet. tech. I'll be going to Minnesota School of Buissnes. One of the big reasons why I'm going there is because most of their training is going to be hands on. Is what you were saying past information or am I making a mistake on going to this school?

To Kitty Lynn in Moorhead -

The answer depends on what you are wanting to do once you are finished with school. If you want to be able to sit for your boards then the school you choose NEEDS to be AVMA accredited, otherwise you cannot take the test and be an RVT, or whatever your state calls us.

Hope this answers your question

That should be an AVMA accredited program so you will be able to sit for the exams with a degree from there. However, double check the list of accredited schools in Minnesota to be sure that it is one of the business schools that is accredited.

www.avma.org/education/cvea/vettech_programs/minnesota.asp

I am thinking about going to a veterinarian technical school in Colorado (Bel-Rea Institute). I am just graduated with a psychology degree and can't find a job, so knowing I need to go back to school anyway I'd rather go back into something I would love to do. I'm making a big move going to Bel-Rea and am wondering if anyone knows anyone who might have gone there and could give me a review. Or if anyone has any opinions on Bel-Rea and if it is indeed a good institute.

CindyRVT in Henderson, Texas said: I have not seen an AVMA accredited program through a Christian college that I recall. There are 120 different approved programs on the AVMA website, so you may just have to go through the list and look for one.

I live in Missouri. I am looking into all schools across the U.S. Can i get my Vet Tech in one state and go to work in another. .. What does
"sit in" on the test mean

In most cases, yes you can get your degree in one state and work as a veterinary technician in another state. However you will still have to meet all of the criteria of whatever state you intend to work in, including having attended an approved program and having passed all the tests that that state requires. For example, I could move to another state and work as a veterinary technician but I would have to present proof of my degree and my Veterinary Technician National Exam scores to the governing body for veterinary technicians in that state. Plus I would have to pay whatever fees they impose and likely have to take a state exam before I would be credentialed in that state.

Sit an exam means to take it.

I just wanted to add that in case anyone was still curious about pay for an RVT/vet tech.

I just got a job with a Spay/Neuter clinic in my city. The starting pay was going to be $8.50, but since I passed my boards and am RVT, I will be making $10.50 starting out. After my 90 day probationary period, I will be making between $12 to $13 an hour. This is considering I have no experience, and have my associate's degree.

I'm wondering how big of a city is the job you have in?

I personally live in a city of about 250k. The clinic I am going to be working at is only one doctor and two other employees. Though I am the only RVT.

Im thinking about going to school to be a vet tech at ccbc. Has anyone gone there? I am 21 and helping animals is something i always wanted to pursue but I dont know what all a vet tech does??

missy in Branson, Missouri said: I live in Missouri. I am looking into all schools across the U.S. Can i get my Vet Tech in one state and go to work in another. .. What does
"sit in" on the test mean

Yes you can go to school in one state and work in another however you may need to take a State exam (not the same at the national) to be registered or licensed in that state. I was an LVT in NY then moved to Texas and had to take the Texas state exam and am now a RVT here.