What Is the Difference Between a Vet Tech & a Veterinarian?

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians take care of animals.

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are both responsible for the care of animals. Their education and professional credentials differ, as does the amount of authority each has when diagnosing and treating animals.

Education

A veterinarian graduates from a four-year accredited doctorate program to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; veterinary technicians complete two- or four-year certification programs.

Responsibilities

Veterinary technicians perform numerous animal care duties such as preventative care, treatment of illness, and laboratory work; they work under the supervision of a veterinarian, who has much more authority to diagnose problems and prescribe treatment.

Careers

Both veterinary technicians and veterinarians can specialize in fields such as domestic/small animal care, exotic animals, large animals/livestock or research; they can be employed in private practice, by universities or research facilities or in animal hospitals.

Salary

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in May of 2008, the average salary for a veterinary technician was $28,900; for veterinarians, the average salary was $79,050.

Associations

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is a professional association that includes veterinary technicians and veterinarians; an association that exists exclusively for veterinary technicians is The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in American (NAVTA).

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Related Occupations
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Veterinarians

Resources

• NAVTA: National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America