Veterinary Technologist: Job Description, Salary, and More
Veterinary technologists play an important role in the veterinary profession, supporting veterinarians in diagnosing, treating, and caring for animals. With a strong foundation in veterinary technology, these professionals can perform a wide range of tasks that contribute to animal science. Often working in veterinary clinics or research facilities, veterinary technologists combine their knowledge of animal health and veterinary nursing to provide care to companion animals, large animals, and exotic species. If you want to learn about other areas of veterinary medicine, you can read more about vet technicians and vet assistants.
What is a veterinary technologist?
Technologists usually specialize in a specific part of veterinary medicine, like animal behavior, laboratory testing, dental procedures, animal research or emergency medicine. Otherwise, technologists can have job descriptions similar to technicians by performing tasks that support veterinarians in delivering medical care to animals.
A veterinary technologist is a step above a veterinary technician. Veterinary technologists must first meet the criteria for vet technicians before continuing onto become technologists. This means vet technologists can be vet technicians, but vet technicians cannot be vet technologists. This is why both technicians and technologists are considered "vet techs."
What does a veterinary technologist do?
Veterinary technologists contribute to animal health and science in hospital, laboratory, and research settings. The scope of what a veterinary technologist can do is very broad and will vary depending on the technologist's specialty. Their responsibilities can include diagnostic testing such as lab tests and blood samples, assisting in surgical procedures, or conducting research on relevant animal topics. They can also handle routine procedures like dental care and physical examinations, ensuring accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. Veterinary technologists work with a wide range of animals, including domestic animals, exotic animals, and non-traditional pets.
Veterinary Technologist Education Requirements
Vet technologists need a bachelor's degree in veterinary technology, and these programs are widely available at colleges across the US. You can use this list of American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited programs for vet technologists to find one near you. All vet techs must take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) to get licensed, certified, or registered depending on the state. Then, more education or certifications may be required depending on the veterinary specialty chosen. After licensure, veterinary technologists must complete a certain amount of continuing education in order to maintain their credentials.
Veterinary Technologist Salary in 2025
Just as technologists and technicians are lumped together as "vet techs," these jobs are also lumped together by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite their differences, vet technologists and vet technicians salaries and job descriptions are comparable enough to group together for research purposes. The average annual salary for veterinary technologists is about $45,000 per year, with salaries being around $30,000 on the lower end and $55,000 on the higher end. The job growth rate for vet techs is 19%, which is much faster than other jobs. That's a projected 24,300 more jobs for vet techs through 2033.
Veterinary assistants' job descriptions, salaries, and job outlook are also comparable to vet techs but with less schooling and monetary investment. No formal education is required, but completing a certification program will increase career prospects.
Veterinary Technologist vs Veterinary Technician
Since veterinary technologists are technically credentialed veterinary technicians, there is a lot of overlap between the two roles. However, vet technicians have less rigorous requirements. Technicians only need to complete a 2-year associates degree in veterinary technology before taking the Veterinary Technician National Exam to get their license. Veterinary technologists take the same exam to become licensed, but they need a 4-year degree in veterinary technology to become a technologist.
If the technologist goes on to specialize, which most do, there may be additional schooling and certifications required depending on the specialty. Technologists typically make more than technicians, but this gap will also vary depending on the specialty. These roles are also similar to veterinary assisting, which is another support role in the veterinary field. If you're interested in a more accessible entry point into veterinary medicine, The Academy of Pet Careers' vet assisting certification program will set you on the right path.
Key Takeaways
Veterinary technologists are essential members of the veterinary healthcare team, combining advanced education and practical skills to provide high-quality care to animals. These professionals perform a wide range of tasks, from diagnostic imaging and surgical assisting to emergency care and research. Their roles extend beyond animal care to include educating pet owners and contributing to research in laboratory settings. As the demand for skilled veterinary technologists continues to grow, pursuing this career offers rewarding opportunities in various veterinary practices, research facilities, and specialty areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Veterinary technologist licensing requirements vary significantly by state. While all states require passing the VTNE, some states have additional requirements, different titles (licensed, certified, or registered), and varying continuing education mandates.
In research settings, veterinary technologists focus on maintaining laboratory animal colonies, ensuring compliance with federal regulations like the Animal Welfare Act, conducting health monitoring and preventive care protocols, assisting with research procedures, maintaining detailed research records, and working with specialized research models rather than typical pets.
The role may require standing for long periods, lifting animals, working in cramped positions during procedures, and potential exposure to bites, scratches, and zoonotic diseases. Emotionally, technologists may need to deal with distressed pet owners, witness animal suffering, and manage high-stress emergency situations.
Yes, experienced veterinary technologists can advance into supervisory positions, practice management roles, or become educators at veterinary technology programs.
In 2025, vet techs make about $22 per hour.
Hope Allen
Hope Allen combines her lifelong passion for animals with her digital marketing expertise. Growing up in a veterinary family, she gained hands-on experience working as an office assistant and sterilization tech at their mobile practice. This foundation, coupled with her degree in design and digital content strategy from Lindenwood University, allows her to bring unique insight to pet-focused content.