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Top 10 vet tech jobs & who’s hiring

Discover the top 10 vet tech jobs and companies that are hiring. Explore a range of exciting career paths in veterinary technology.

Imagine having a job where you get to spend your days interacting with animals. A vet tech career makes it possible. Vet techs support veterinarians in various ways. For example, they might read ultrasound and X-ray scans as veterinary imaging technicians or keep animals comfortable during surgery as anesthesia technicians.

If you want a career that involves cuddling kittens and playing with pups, a veterinarian technician job is a solid pick. But just how do you get into the field? Below, we outline the path to a vet tech career and highlight some real-world veterinary medicine jobs available on Handshake right now.

Is veterinary technology a good career path for you?

Veterinary technology is a growing field, with job growth of 20% expected through 2031 — a lot faster than the national average. That’s great news for graduates looking to break into the field.

That said, it takes more than a love of animals to be a successful vet tech (although that’s definitely the No. 1 requirement!). Here are some other traits that can help you excel in a vet tech work environment:

  • Compassion. A big heart and a lot of love will help give you the empathy needed to deal with animals and pet owners.
  • Communication skills. You’ll have to communicate with other veterinary professionals and concerned pet parents.
  • Teamwork abilities. Vet techs work with team members, like veterinarians and other vet techs, to improve patient care. Collaboration skills are a must.
  • Problem-solving skills. Get ready to adapt so you can provide top-quality patient care, whether that means finding unique ways to calm a scared dog or figuring out how to treat an aggressive cat without getting scratched!
  • Patience. Just like kids, fur babies can test your patience to the limit. An understanding attitude and resilience in the face of stress can help.

Best degrees for veterinary technology

So, what does it take to break into the veterinary tech field? Some unique educational credentials provide the skills needed to get the job done.

Educational paths toward becoming a credentialed veterinary technician include:

  • Biology. A biology degree could pave the way to a veterinary technician or technologist job.
  • Zoology. This degree can get you a job as an animal technician or dietary technician, among other options.
  • High school diploma. You read that right! Some vet tech jobs, like animal laboratory technician, only require a high school diploma (though additional certifications can help).
  • Doctor of veterinary medicine. Those wanting to go all out and commit to many years of education can become a full-fledged vet.

Industries where you can build a vet tech career

Most veterinary technicians work for animal hospitals or veterinary clinics. However, you may also find work in animal shelters or social advocacy organizations. You can even work in academia if you further your education and get an advanced degree (like a master’s degree or Ph.D.), teaching future vet techs the ropes.

Curious about the industries hiring vet techs? We provide a roundup of companies hiring vet techs on Handshake below.

Top 10 entry-level jobs in veterinary technology

Want to spend your career working with animals? Consider these veterinary technician jobs.

1. Registered veterinary technician

Veterinary technicians help veterinarians diagnose and treat hurt and sick animals. They may work in veterinary hospitals, animal clinics, and even zoos. They also help keep critters comfortable throughout treatment.

Average salary: $36,850 per year

Qualifications:

  • Two-year associate degree in animal biology, zoology, chemistry, biochemistry, or similar, plus a postsecondary program in veterinary technology
  • State licensure, for example, by passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

Skills:

  • Ability to stay calm under pressure
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Compassion

2. Veterinary technologist

Veterinary technologists are similar to vet techs. Duties could include performing critical care tasks like CPR, drawing blood, and more. The main difference is in the education required: While vet technicians need a two-year degree, technologists need a four-year degree.

Average salary: $36,850 per year

Qualifications:

  • Four-year bachelor’s degree in animal biology, zoology, chemistry, biochemistry, or similar, plus a postsecondary program in veterinary technology
  • State licensure, for example, by passing the VTNE

Skills:

  • Teamwork abilities
  • Problem-solving mindset
  • Great people and animal skills

3. Veterinary assistant

Vet assistants handle the less technical/technological side of pet care. They may handle routine checkups and provide preventative health care tasks, like dental care, feeding, and rehabilitation.

Average salary: $32,710 per year

Qualifications:

  • Four-year bachelor’s degree in zoology, animal biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or similar
  • State licensure might be required, for example, by passing the Approved Veterinary Assistant Examination (AVA)

Skills:

  • Patience
  • A caring attitude
  • Flexibility

4. Animal laboratory technician

Lab animal technicians may work in veterinary labs, taking samples (like blood draws) and processing them. However, they may also work in research (e.g., caring for animal test subjects for pharmaceutical companies). In this case, duties could include feeding and cleaning cages.

Average salary: $40,200 per year

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma minimum; bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology, or similar helpful
  • Certification from an organization like the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) helpful

Skills:

  • Detail-oriented
  • Good time management skills
  • Ability to multitask

5. Veterinary surgery technician

Veterinary surgery technicians specifically support vets in surgical procedures, from spaying and neutering animals to removing intestinal blockages. For example, they may assist with catheter placement during an operation.

Average salary: $39,019 per year

Qualifications:

  • Associate degree in medical assistant services, biology, or similar
  • State licensure might be required

Skills:

  • Keen attention to detail
  • Teamwork
  • Ability to multitask

6. Dietary technician

Just like people, an animal’s health depends largely on its diet. Animal nutritionists or dietary technicians help keep pets healthy by prescribing nutritious meal plans to promote wellness.

Average salary: $77,353 per year

Qualifications:

  • Associate or bachelor’s degree in animal biology, zoology, chemistry, biochemistry, or similar, plus a postsecondary program in veterinary technology
  • VTNE licensure
  • Professional accreditation through an organization like the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians (AVNT), which offers a VTS nutrition credential

Skills:

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Adaptability
  • Problem-solving mindset

7. Animal technician

Animal care technicians support labs, shelters, and veterinary medical centers by caring for pets. They may feed animals, clean and disinfect their cages, and maintain tool and instrument inventory.

Average salary: $40,182 per year

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma minimum; bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology, or similar helpful
  • Certification from an organization like the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) helpful; an experienced veterinary technician (two years of experience minimum) can get an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician credential (ALAT) credential

Skills:

  • Compassionate
  • Detail-oriented
  • Good project management skills

8. Veterinary imaging technician

Animals may need diagnostic imaging (e.g., an X-ray or ultrasound) when they go to the vet. Veterinary imaging technicians help capture these images and analyze them to aid diagnostics.

Average salary: $66,562 per year

Qualifications:

  • Associate or bachelor’s degree in animal biology, zoology, chemistry, biochemistry, or similar, plus a postsecondary program in veterinary technology
  • VTNE licensure
  • Certification from a body like the American College of Veterinary Radiology

Skills:

  • Good communication skills
  • Excellent eye for detail
  • Ability to multitask

9. Anesthesia technician

Animals sometimes require operations, like getting spayed or fixing health issues like cancer. Anesthesia technicians administer the anesthesia needed to keep critters comfortable during an operation. This could mean working with small animals or bigger creatures, like horses and cows.

Average salary: $55,563 per year

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree, plus a four-year doctor of veterinary medicine degree and one-year internship, leading to the credential Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (DACVAA)

Skills:

  • Prioritize patient comfort
  • Detail-oriented
  • Team player

10. Hospital service technician

Hospital service technicians are licensed veterinary technicians that work specifically in animal hospitals. Duties involve providing dental care, drawing blood, and performing urgent care tasks like CPR.

Average salary: $46,830 per year

Qualifications:

  • Associate or bachelor’s degree in animal biology, zoology, chemistry, biochemistry, or similar, plus a postsecondary program in veterinary technology
  • VTNE licensure

Skills:

  • Compassionate
  • Collaborative
  • Excellent communicator

Let Handshake help you find a vet tech job

If the thought of cuddling furry, feathered, and even scaled friends makes you smile, consider a job in veterinary care. There are many job types in the veterinary technician assistant field, from anesthesia experts to imaging specialists.

Whatever job title you aspire to, Handshake can help you get the gig. Handshake features both full-time and part-time jobs, as well as internships. Matching with a fitting gig is easy: Just create a profile and let employers contact you.

Make a profile and start getting job alerts today.

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