Occupation · SOC 29-2056
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
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.
Median wage
$45,980
$32,120–$60,880
Projected growth
+9.1%
Faster than average
Annual openings
1,220
per year
Employed (US)
131,320
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
74 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationActive LearningTime ManagementLearning StrategiesSciencePersuasionOperations MonitoringInstructingSystems AnalysisMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems EvaluationOperation and ControlNegotiationTroubleshootingQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceRepairingEquipment SelectionOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Medicine and DentistryCustomer and Personal ServiceBiologyEnglish LanguageMathematicsChemistryComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingAdministrativeSales and MarketingLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityTherapy and CounselingAdministration and ManagementPsychologyPhysicsMechanicalPersonnel and Human ResourcesForeign LanguageTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaEngineering and TechnologyGeographyProduction and ProcessingSociology and AnthropologyEconomics and AccountingFood ProductionTransportationPhilosophy and TheologyDesignHistory and ArcheologyBuilding and ConstructionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Animal Intelligence Software Animal IntelligenceFileMaker ProMcAllister Software Systems AVImarkMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordPractice management software PMSVeterinary practice management software PMSWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsAssisting and Caring for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationGetting InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesHandling and Moving ObjectsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleTraining and Teaching OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsProcessing InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationWorking with ComputersDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesThinking CreativelyRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Animal restraint techniques — apply basic holds and positioning under direct veterinarian or senior technician supervision during routine examination procedures in a clinical setting.Instrument and equipment sanitation — clean and sterilize surgical tools, exam instruments, and materials following established protocols under direct oversight in a veterinary clinic.Prescribed medications and vaccines — prepare and label dosages as directed by a veterinarian, verifying quantity and patient identity in a small or mixed-species practice.Basic laboratory specimens — collect and process blood, urine, or fecal samples under supervision, performing simple urinalyses or cell counts using clinic laboratory equipment.Post-surgical patient observation — monitor recovering animals for vital sign changes and report abnormalities immediately to supervising veterinary staff in an inpatient ward.Controlled drug log entries — record additions and dispensing events in the controlled substance inventory log under direct guidance to maintain regulatory compliance.Client and staff communication — relay patient status updates and procedural instructions clearly and accurately to owners and team members in a front-facing clinic environment.Emergency first-aid protocols — recognize life-threatening signs and initiate basic resuscitation steps, including rescue breathing and cardiac compressions, under immediate veterinarian direction.Medical software data entry — input patient intake information, treatment notes, and appointment records into practice management software under supervision in a busy clinical environment.Biological and chemical safety — follow facility hazard protocols for handling reagents, biohazards, and sharps in the clinic laboratory and treatment area to minimize exposure risk.
developing
Anesthesia administration — prepare and administer induction and maintenance agents to companion animals following veterinarian-approved protocols, adjusting flow rates based on monitored responses during elective surgeries.Multi-parameter anesthesia monitoring — track heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and body temperature continuously, documenting trends and alerting the veterinarian to concerning deviations throughout surgical procedures.Full laboratory panel execution — perform and interpret complete blood counts, serum chemistry profiles, and urinalyses independently, flagging abnormal values for veterinarian review in a general-practice setting.Vaccine and treatment administration — prepare and administer prescribed immunizations, serums, and therapeutic medications with minimal oversight, verifying dosage calculations against patient weight in an outpatient clinic.Controlled substance inventory management — conduct routine reconciliation of controlled drug stock, investigate discrepancies, and maintain accurate DEA-compliant log books in a licensed veterinary facility.Advanced restraint and handling — apply chemical and physical restraint techniques for anxious, fractious, or large-breed patients, selecting appropriate methods to minimize stress and injury risk in an inpatient ward.Wound care and bandage application — assess, clean, and dress surgical incisions and traumatic wounds according to veterinarian instructions, monitoring healing progress during follow-up visits in a general practice.Diagnostic imaging assistance — position patients correctly for radiographic exposures, adjust technique settings, and produce diagnostic-quality images with routine supervision in a small-animal or mixed-practice clinic.Client education delivery — explain post-operative care instructions, medication schedules, and preventive health recommendations clearly to pet owners, adapting communication style to varying client literacy levels.Time and caseload management — prioritize concurrent patient tasks, treatment schedules, and laboratory runs efficiently across a busy multi-doctor practice, ensuring all procedures are completed within appointment windows.
proficient
Anesthetic protocol selection — independently evaluate patient health status, select appropriate anesthetic agents and monitoring parameters, and manage perioperative complications without direct supervision in a full-service veterinary hospital.Complex laboratory interpretation — correlate blood, urine, and fecal findings with clinical signs to develop differential diagnostic conclusions, communicating results and recommendations to veterinarians in a specialty or referral practice.Emergency resuscitation leadership — lead cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts, directing team roles and administering emergency drugs during critical events in an urgent-care or emergency veterinary facility.Surgical suite preparation and support — orchestrate complete sterile field setup, instrument counts, and intraoperative assistance for complex soft-tissue or orthopedic procedures in an advanced surgical environment.Controlled substance compliance oversight — audit drug logs, reconcile inventory discrepancies, prepare DEA reporting documentation, and coordinate inspections in a multi-doctor practice to ensure full regulatory adherence.Pain assessment and management — evaluate post-operative and chronic pain scores using validated scales, recommend protocol adjustments to the attending veterinarian, and implement multimodal analgesia plans in an inpatient care unit.Advanced patient monitoring technology — operate and troubleshoot capnography, invasive blood pressure, and esophageal stethoscope systems, interpreting real-time data to guide intraoperative decision-making in a surgical suite.Critical care nursing — manage fluid therapy rates, enteral nutrition support, and intensive monitoring for post-operative or medically compromised patients across extended shifts in a 24-hour veterinary hospital.Diagnostic and treatment documentation — produce thorough, accurate medical records, laboratory summaries, and discharge reports that meet state licensing standards and support continuity of care across a multi-provider team.Cross-disciplinary coordination — collaborate effectively with veterinarians, practice managers, and referring clinics to schedule complex cases, share diagnostic findings, and optimize patient outcomes in a specialty referral center.
advanced
Anesthesia protocol development — design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based anesthesia and analgesia protocols for the entire patient population, training junior technicians on their application across a multi-specialty veterinary organization.Competency framework and training design — develop structured onboarding curricula, skills assessments, and continuing education plans for veterinary technician staff, raising clinical standards across the department or multi-site practice.Controlled substance program leadership — establish facility-wide controlled drug policies, oversee audit systems, liaise with DEA and state regulators, and mentor staff compliance at an organizational governance level.Quality assurance and patient safety initiatives — lead root-cause analyses of adverse events, design corrective action plans, and implement safety checklists that reduce preventable errors across the entire clinical operation.Emergency preparedness strategy — create, test, and refine mass-casualty and critical-care emergency response protocols for the facility, coordinating drills and inter-agency communication in a hospital or high-volume urban clinic.Laboratory quality control management — establish and monitor analytical accuracy standards for in-house diagnostic equipment, evaluate new testing platforms, and ensure compliance with AVMA and accreditation body requirements.Mentorship and professional development leadership — guide individual technician career progression, advocate for credentialing advancement, and foster a culture of continuous learning within a veterinary department or teaching hospital.Technology and workflow optimization — evaluate, select, and integrate new medical software, diagnostic instruments, and electronic records systems, leading change management efforts to improve efficiency across the practice.Interdepartmental and client relations strategy — represent the technical team in hospital leadership meetings, address complex client escalations, and collaborate with practice owners to align clinical service delivery with organizational goals.Evidence-based practice advocacy — review current veterinary literature, translate emerging research into actionable clinical protocols, and present findings to staff and stakeholders to drive adoption of best practices across the organization.
Also known as
19 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Animal Care Technician (Animal Care Tech)Animal Health Technician (Animal Health Tech)Animal Technician (Animal Tech)Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)Emergency Veterinary Technician (Emergency Vet Tech)Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician (Internal Medicine Vet Tech)Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)Swine Technician (Swine Tech)Veterinarian Lab Technician (Veterinary Lab Tech)Veterinarian Technician (Vet Tech)Veterinary Assistant (Vet Assistant)Veterinary Laboratory Technician (Vet Lab Tech)Veterinary Nurse (Vet Nurse)Veterinary Surgery Technician (Vet Surgery Tech)Veterinary Surgery Technologist (Vet Surgery Technologist)Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech)Veterinary TechnologistVeterinary X-Ray Operator