How to Become a Veterinary Technician?
Are you thinking of becoming a Veterinary Technician or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Veterinary Technician, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Veterinary Technician job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Veterinary Technician
If you're considering starting your Veterinary Technician career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Veterinary Technician and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Veterinary Technician career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Veterinary Technician career path, a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Veterinary Technician internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become a Veterinary Technician?
42% of people working as a Veterinary Technician earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be a Veterinary Technician?
- CPT Coding
- Microsoft Office Software
- Excellent Communication
- Strong WORK Ethic
- Responses
- Advocacy
- ICU
- Leadership
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Veterinary Technician, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Veterinary Technician field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Veterinary Technician specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Veterinary Technician
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Veterinary Technician. In general, you can become a Veterinary Technician after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Veterinary Technician role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified veterinary technician.4
Advance in Your Veterinary Technician Career
Following entry-level, there are several Veterinary Technician career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Veterinary Technician to progress to the senior veterinary technician position. Each advanced Veterinary Technician position requires approximately 8 years of experience at each level to advance in your Veterinary Technician career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Veterinary Technician career path.5
Continued Education for Your Veterinary Technician Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Veterinary Technician career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in veterinary technology can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $47,653 compared to $28,039 for those without that type of degree.Veterinary Technician Career Path
Veterinary Technician
8+Years of Experience
$35K - $51K /yrMost Likely Range
5% advanced to
Senior Veterinary Technician
2 - 4Years of Experience
$36K - $55K /yrMost Likely Range
Veterinary Technician IV
No Years of Experience Reports
$39K - $56K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Veterinary Technician Career Path
Veterinary Technician I
Veterinary Technician
Senior Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Technician Manager
Veterinary Technician IV
Director of Veterinary Operations
$30K
$68K
$106K
$144K
$220K
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Related Careers in the healthcare Industry
Interested in other healthcare careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Veterinary Technician skills. Discover some of the most common Veterinary Technician career transitions, along with skills overlap.