Where do vet techs make the most money

Being a veterinary technician is a very rewarding job. A lot of veterinary technicians have on-the-job training, foregoing the traditional degree program for learning at the helm of a veterinary clinic. However, most clinics agree that they pay more for technicians with a board certification. Having a certification will also give you more job options. Combining your years of experience with a license will do wonders for how hirable you are. Becoming a VTS opens up the possibility of working in larger, more specialized hospitals, such as, universities, referral hospitals, or research facilities. There are currently nine recognized specialties:. Specialties require a few years of additional training. You have to log hundreds of hours of work in your chosen specialty, as well as a research project and an intensive exam once your work is complete. As a VTS, your resume will automatically stand out above even the most experienced veterinary technicians. Research labs make more money than veterinary clinics do, so they also pay their staff. If you work in a research lab, you are responsible for the care of the animals in the lab. Part of the reason lab techs get paid more is because the job can be very difficult emotionally.

Vets in Zoos and Similar Institutions

Before moving on to presenting the US states where veterinary technicians get the highest salaries, as well as which are the most renowned vet tech training programs in the country, it is important to firstly detail the job duties and responsibilities of these animal health care providers. Having said that, veterinary technicians are skilled and highly trained professionals who offer advanced medical care and services for all sorts of animals, from live stock to exotic pets. These professionals can choose to specialize in one of the many branches of veterinary medicine, such as veterinary nutrition, dentistry or anesthesia, and this will certainly influence their salary. Veterinary technicians usually work under the close supervision of a licensed veterinarian, and they can be found both in the rural and the urban areas, where they work in private clinics or animal hospitals. Veterinary technicians and technologists have to perform a wide array of duties, including but not limited to consulting the animal patients and diagnosing them, preparing the animals for surgery or for various therapies, conducting x-rays and other similar tests, ordering and performing blood work and dental scans, administering medical injections and such. Moreover, it is also very important for the veterinary technician to be able to operate heavy, state of the art medical machinery, and to be able to handle and to lift large animals. As you may know already, veterinary technicians have to perform a variety of medical tasks, as well as technical and administrative tasks, especially if they work in a veterinary office where they have to perform duties such as scheduling appointments, replying to e-mails, picking up phone calls or updating the patient files. At the time being, most veterinary technicians in the United States of America work for private veterinary facilities, and there is a significant demand for more professionals in the rural areas. Those who do not work for private clinics or animal hospitals are usually employed as university and research technicians. Having said that, the average salary for a veterinary technician does vary greatly from one US state to another, and there are several other factors that can influence the payment of these animal health care providers, such as their specialization, their certification as well as their level of experience. Statistically speaking, approximately one fifth of all veterinary technicians in the United States of America can be found working for private veterinary offices, although these are rarely the highest paying settings in the field. Another factor that must be taken into account when discussing the median yearly wage of a veterinary technician in the United States is the location. Different states pay their veterinary professionals different wages: not only do the salaries vary based on the geographical location, but it also happens that vet technicians who work in urban areas receive a higher payment than those who work in the rural areas. One potential explanation for this discrepancy in terms of payment may be that vet technicians in rural areas generally tend to take care of livestock, while those from the urban centers are more likely to care for exotic animals and other pets. At the time being, the US state with the top employers per capita is known to be the state of New York , with more than 3, vet technicians working here. Nonetheless, it is important to keep in mind that in the state of New York, the costs of living are directly proportional to the salaries of those working in the veterinary industry. If you have decided to pursue a career in the veterinary field as a technician, then it is important to become familiar with some of the most appreciated specialties in the industry. Some of these specialties are simply more appreciated and better paid than others: having said that, dental technology , critical veterinary care as well as zoology are some of the most rewarding and lucrative veterinary specialties one can opt for. In spite of the fact that veterinary technicians and technologists are widely appreciated all over the USA, they are particularly sought-after in some cities where they tend to be better paid than in others. Having said that, here you will find a brief overview of some of the cities where working as a vet technician can turn out to be very lucrative in the long haul, as well as the average salaries these professionals receive here on a yearly basis:. Another city where being a veterinary technicians is very rewarding, both from a professional and from a financial standpoint, is the city of Greenville located in South Carolina. As mentioned earlier, the state of New York has the highest number of active veterinary technicians, and it also ranks as one of the highest paying states for these professionals. If you have decided to pursue a career in the industry as a veterinary technician, then look no further than San Francisco! Choosing a reputable, trustworthy and accredited vet school is an aspect of utmost importance — as a matter of fact, your basic training as a veterinary technician is so important that it can make or break your future in the field.

The top vet tech colleges and schools

Of course, considering the level of schooling this career requires, coupled with the student loan costs and the level of commitment, that changes for some people once they become adults. But the love for animals and the desire to work with animals might remain. One of the more difficult tasks job seekers face is finding a career that pays enough money, as well as one they will enjoy. But money also matters, and like it or not, it has to be a priority. The key is finding a balance. That is, doing what you love for money, as opposed to doing what you love in hopes that you will earn money. If animals are your passion — the field that makes you want to get up and do something — then you can certainly achieve this balance.

From the Indeed Career Guide

The idea of working as a veterinarian at a zoo seems like a dream job for some people. These jobs are hard to come by, but they provide the possibility of working with a wide variety of animals. The amount of money that zoo vets make is not entirely clear because of discrepancies in authoritative reports, but you can get an idea of the salary range by considering the information available.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. That figure does not include self-employed veterinarians, and many animal doctors run their own practices. The BLS includes zoo veterinarians in a category identified as «museums, historical sites and similar institutions.

It may be that the AVMA survey included higher-paid self-employed vets who work at zoos. Another possibility is that vets who work at locations such as wildlife sanctuaries and wild animal parks earn substantially less than zoo vets and bring the average.

Shelley Moore is a journalist and award-winning short-story writer. She specializes in writing about personal development, health, careers and personal finance. Moore has been published in «Family Circle» magazine and the «Milwaukee Sentinel» newspaper, along with numerous other national and regional magazines, daily and weekly newspapers and corporate publications.

She has a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Skip to main content. Vets in Zoos and Similar Institutions The BLS includes zoo veterinarians in a category identified as «museums, historical sites and similar institutions. References 4 U. About the Author Shelley Moore is a journalist and award-winning short-story writer. Accessed 17 January Moore, Shelley. Work — Chron. Note: Depending on which text editor you’re pasting into, you might have to where do vet techs make the most money the italics to the site .

Vet Tech Q&A — Veterinary Technician

Averages for All Veterinarians

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? 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. I am 22 years old i love what i do but always feel i am worth. Your story sounds just about like mine! I love animals, and most of twchs time enjoy my job alot.