Average Veterinary Salary
The veterinary profession provides a wide array of career opportunities. The hourly wage or yearly salary obtained depends mainly on education, but on experience and location as well.
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Veterinary Assistant
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Veterinary assistants describe individuals working in the veterinary field who have little or no education, or who have completed a veterinary assistant program. Their duties are limited mainly to facility maintenance (i.e. cleaning), restraint, office administrative duties and other simple tasks. As of April 2009, the national average salary was $26,356 per year or $12.67 per hour.
Veterinary Technician
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Veterinary technicians could be equated to registered nurses in the medical profession; education is typically required and technicians must pass their state's examination to become a licensed veterinary technician. Typically, qualified applicants are required to have completed a two-year veterinary technician program, which also comes with its own set of general prerequisites in order to apply to the particular program, in addition to hours of experience. As of 2010, the national average salary is $28,920 per year or $13.90 per hour.
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Veterinarian
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Veterinarians are the doctors in the veterinary world; they diagnose patients, dictate appropriate treatments and perform surgeries. Years of education are required, which can include a four-year Bachelor's degree or equivalent prerequisites plus another four years in veterinary school. In addition, an individual must pass the national and state veterinary examinations. As of 2010, the national average salary is $79,050 per year.
Education and Experience
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Generally, the more education, the higher the pay scale. This is also true for experience; with more experience you will improve your skills and knowledge and will typically be able to earn more.
Variations
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Veterinarians who wish obtain a specialization will need years of additional education and training, and once employed will generally earn more money than other veterinarians. Assistants and technicians working at more specialized locations (including specialty practices, surgery, emergency, research and universities) generally earn a higher wage as well.
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References
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