If you're an animal lover, interested in a career working with animals, consider a job as a veterinary technician. Vet techs work alongside licensed veterinarians in professional practices, performing clinical work and tests, medical diagnosis, X-rays, and other jobs.

Veterinary Tech Career (OR) Veterinary Tech Employment Outlook

If you love pets, consider a Veterinary Technician career. In 2004, there were about 60,000 Veterinary Technicians and Technologist employed across America. While most worked primarily in veterinary offices, the others were employed at animal shelters, boarding kennels, grooming salons, stables, zoos, and government agencies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to grow much faster than average -- by 27% or more -- from the decade ending in 2014 because of the growing affluence of pet owners and their number of pets.

Veterinary Tech Salaries

Salaries for Veterinary Technicians per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics are usually earned hourly, with $11.99 as the average wage in 2004. The low was $8.51 per hour and the high was $17.12. Factors determining salary include where you live, where you work, and how much experience you might have.

Although many veterinary technicians choose to work in clinics and pet hospitals, caring for animals directly, vet techs are employed in a variety of settings. Vet tech careers, for example, also can be pursued at research facilities and laboratories, performing animal-health research.

Career Prerequisites - Veterinary Technician

A two-year degree is required to enter the veterinary technician profession; however, many entrants to the field now hold a four-year bachelor's degree.

The American Veterinary Medical Association accredits many vet-tech training programs, ensuring students will be prepared to successfully complete state regulatory exams. Veterinary technicians generally begin their careers as trainees, working under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian.

Salary Forecast - Veterinary Technician

Rising household incomes are increasing pet ownership and demand for high-quality pet care. As a result, job prospects for skilled veterinary technicians will likely remain strong for the next ten years. Greater interest in premium pet care is also providing veterinary technologists and technicians stronger job prospects than veterinary assistants.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average veterinary technician salary in 2002 was between $22,000 and $33,000.