The Salary of a Vet Tech in the United States
Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary practices, animal shelters and clinics to provide care for animals. Technologists conduct medical tests on animals such as blood and tissue tests so that veterinarians can diagnose illnesses and conditions. The average salary for a veterinary technician or technologist is between $22,805 and $33,566 a year as of November 2010, according to PayScale.
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Industry
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The hourly rate for vet techs can vary based on the type of employer. For example, vet techs working in animal hospitals earn an average hourly rate between $11.56 and $16.15 per hour, while those employed in animal shelters earn rates between $10.04 and $14.00 per hour, according to PayScale.
Location
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Vet tech pay also varies by city. The city in the United States with the highest paid vet techs is San Francisco, California. Technicians or technologists can earn salaries between $14.74 and $21.87 per hour. Vet techs in Spring, Texas earn average salaries between $10.29 and $17.42, as of November 2010, according to PayScale.
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Education
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Veterinary technicians usually enter the field with an associate degree in veterinary technology from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Colleges and universities may offer four-year degree programs in veterinary technology as well. Technicians or technologists with an Associate of Science degree earn the highest hourly rates, which are $10.20 to $17.09 per hour, according to PayScale. Technicians with Bachelor of Science degrees earn salaries between $9.98 and $16.90 per hour.
Experience
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Veterinary technicians with the most experience earn the highest salaries in the field. Vet techs with 20 years or more experience in the field earn average hourly rates between $14.37 and $18.70 per hour, reports PayScale. Workers with years of experience are skilled in performing diagnostic tests, assisting veterinarians and providing care for animals. A worker with less than a year in the field earns lower hourly rates between $8.86 and $11.93 per hour on average.
Benefits
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Veterinary technicians and technologists earn benefits in addition to salary when working for an animal hospital, shelter or veterinary practice. Common benefits for vet techs include paid vacation, insurance, tuition reimbursement and a 401(k) retirement plan.
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References
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