Pets can feel like family members — they can be a confidant, a comforter and a friend. Because of this strong emotional connection with our dogs, cats and other animals, people often expect the best care for them. And one profession related to animal care is expected to grow very quickly in coming years.

Veterinary technologists and technicians perform many of the same duties for a veterinarian that a nurse would perform for a doctor. It’s a challenging job, but something an animal lover could really enjoy.

Median Wages

• $13.89 hourly
• $28,900 annual

Things to Consider

• Do you love animals? Do they generally love you, too?
• Would you be able to handle the emotional stresses of dealing with injured or dying animals?
• Are you comfortable dealing with and talking to people regularly?
• Do you have a mind for science and math?

Career Growth

The need for veterinary technologists and technicians is expected to grow faster than other careers by 20 percent or more between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2018, there should be as many as 48,500 additional veterinary technologists and technicians positions.

Typical Work Activities

• Care for and monitor animals recovering for surgery, being diagnosed or undergoing treatment.
• Collect and prepare samples for lab testing.
• Perform lab tests to aid in diagnosis, including examining blood samples and using x-ray equipment.
• Maintain drug inventories and fill prescriptions.
• Administer animal first aid, medications, vaccines, serums and treatments.

Work Environment and Hours

Veterinary technologists and technicians can work in private clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, zoos, aquariums or research facilities, and they generally work 40 hours a week or more. In some settings, technologists and technicians must be on hand around-the-clock, so evening and night shifts are a possibility.

This is a demanding job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics says this job is dangerous — full-time workers in this career experience work-related injury and illness at a rate much higher than the national average. Technologists and technicians who deal with abused animals or have to euthanize animals can deal with emotional stress.

How Do I Become a Veterinary Technologist or Technician?

Veterinary technicians must have a two-year associate degree, and veterinary technologists must have a four-year bachelor’s degree from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited institution. Both jobs are very similar, but technologists generally have a better chance of employment in research facilities, zoos and aquariums.

Both technologists and technicians begin as trainees supervised by a veterinarian. New employees with more hands-on experience will generally have a shorter training period.

Each state has different licensing and certification programs, but licensing is required. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has more information about these requirements.

Next Steps in This Career

Veterinary technicians and technologists with experience often take on more responsibilities and can do more without veterinary supervision. Some become supervisors to other veterinary technicians and technologists.

For more information about this and related positions, visit the related articles on O*NET OnLine and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our sources for this article.