Veterinary Technologist

Explore This Path

Passionate about animal health? Help diagnose and treat animal diseases.
Play a vital role in veterinary care by preparing vaccines and conducting tests.
Unique chance to assist in surgeries and monitor animal recovery.

💰 Earn $46K-$61K

📚 Associate Degree

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 19.3% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Associate Degree

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

15,400 Annually

Median Earnings

$54,190 in California

$43,740 Nationally

$25K

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Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Veterinary Technologist? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@dr_chantelly

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Thinking and problem solving
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Service Orientation
Social Perceptiveness

You value 🙏

Having support
Job security
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Veterinary Technologist

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years