Veterinary techs help veterinarians care for pets.
Veterinary techs, also known as technicians and technologists, assist veterinarians in the treatment of animals. Education ranges from a two-year associate degree to four years of college. All states require vet techs to pass a credentialing exam after the appropriate courses. Employment opportunities are expected to increase, with an accompanying rise in earnings.
Compensation
As of May 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that veterinary techs make a median hourly wage of $14.08, which is a yearly salary of $29,280. The lowest 10 percent earn $9.70 or $20,180 while the highest 10 percent make $20.71 or $43,080.
Industries
The industry type decides income. This profession's highest-paying industries are the federal government, with a rate at $22.60 an hour or $47,020 a year; general medical and surgical hospitals at $20.39 or $42,410; pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing at $19.53 or $40,630; architectural, engineering and related services at $19.31 or $40,170; and medical and diagnostic laboratories at $19.03 or $39,590.
States
The state where the job is located affects salaries. The top five highest-paying for this job are Connecticut, with wages at $17.48 an hour or $36,360 a year; New York at $17.43 or $36,250; Washington D.C. at $17.39 or $36,160; California at $17.17 or $35,720; and Nevada at $16.95 or $35,260.
Cities
The city in which a job is performed can determine pay. Four of the top five best-paying for this profession are in California: San Jose, with wages at $20.72 an hour or $43,100 a year, San Diego at $20.67 or $42,990, Sacramento at $20.65 or $42,950, and Santa Barbara at $19.58 or $40,730. Finishing the list is Poughkeepsie, New York, at $19.70 or $40,980.
Opportunities and Pay
Areas with the greatest number of jobs do not pay the most money. For example, the industries offering the most jobs are other professional, scientific, and technical services with pay at $14.42 an hour or $30,000 a year, and colleges, universities and professional schools at $17.30 or $35,980. States with the most number of veterinary techs per capita are Vermont, with a rate at $14.89 or $30,960, and Rhode Island at $15.46 or $32,160. Cities with the highest concentration of jobs are College Station, Texas, with salaries at $14.60 or $30,360, and Fort Collins, Colorado, at $14.43 or $30,010.
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