Becoming a veterinary technician is a choice that only those with a passion for helping animals make. With the requirements when it comes to education and experience, in addition to the demands in different types of work environments, this is not a job for the faint of heart. There are a number of different factors that affect the vet tech salary.
One important variable is the amount of hands-on experience with animals a candidate brings to the table. Most vet techs start in high school, by either volunteering or working part time for a local veterinarian. Continuing this throughout college will also help job prospects. An individual with 15 years as a veterinary technician will undoubtedly make more than someone fresh out of college.
Veterinarian techs at animal hospitals can expect to spend the vast majority of their shift on their feet, shuttling pet patients and their owners around, assisting in surgeries, and performing directed diagnostic procedures. However, another major part of their job duties is to complete and file necessary paperwork. Some veterinarians delegate this task exclusively to vet techs, and have one accompany them for all office visits. This prevents the veterinarian from having to complete paperwork and allows him or her to focus on other, more important, duties.
Even in other settings, veterinarian techs are generally required to be quite active. Those that work at zoos, while commanding a higher vet tech salary, may need to frequently lift heavy bags of food or even sedated animals on occasion. While vet techs working for companies that manufacture and sell veterinary equipment may not be as physically active, often this job is significantly less satisfying for someone that has placed their hopes and dreams into a future of helping animals. However, veterinarians need equipment to diagnose and treat animals, making this field just as necessary to the well-being of animals.
A vet tech salary can command anywhere from $20,000 to just under $50,000. There are a number of things that affect the salary, including education, years of experience in the field, location, and the particular employer. Similar to other fields of employment, more experience and education will result in a substantially higher vet tech salary.
For those who aren’t satisfied with “just” a degree as a veterinary tech, there are certainly options in continuing education. If grades are high enough, one may choose to apply for a program to become a veterinarian. Most of these programs are incredibly difficult to gain entrance to, and work experience is beneficial. Some individuals that had previously been denied acceptance were later enrolled after gaining a few years of experience as a vet tech. Whatever choices you make, know that they all will be reflected in your veterinary tech salary.