$18.09
Avg. Base Hourly Rate (USD)
The average hourly pay for a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is $18.09
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)s?
An entry-level Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $14.58 based on 17 salaries. An early career Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation …Read more
What Do Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)s Do?
The primary job of a registered veterinarian technician, (commonly known as vet techs) is to provide comfort and care to sick or injured animals. A vet tech works under a veterinarian, assisting them with day-to-day work. These technicians work in a variety of settings, such as private practices, 24-hour animal hospitals, animal shelters, labs, research facilities, zoos, and rescue agencies.
Some of the duties performed by vet techs include collecting blood, stool, urine or tissue samples for …Read more
Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) Tasks
- Perform tests and administer medical treatments under supervision of a veterinarian.
- May have duties explaining to patient owners the nature of treatments and procedures.
- Maintain equipment within a veterinarian's laboratory.
How do Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)s Rate Their Jobs?
Based on 175 responses, the job of Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) has received a job satisfaction rating of 3.96 out of 5. On average, Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)s are highly satisfied with their job.
What is the highest pay for Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)s?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is $24.81 / hour
What is the lowest pay for Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)s?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is $13.78 / hour
How can Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)s increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) that oversees more junior Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)s, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
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Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021
Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
National estimates for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Industry profile for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Geographic profile for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
National estimates for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| 118,670 | 1.4 % | $ 18.39 | $ 38,250 | 0.4 % |
Percentile wage estimates for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| Hourly Wage | $ 13.64 | $ 14.33 | $ 17.72 | $ 21.99 | $ 23.13 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $ 28,370 | $ 29,810 | $ 36,850 | $ 45,750 | $ 48,100 |
Industry profile for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 109,620 | 14.38 | $ 18.14 | $ 37,720 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 2,990 | 0.10 | $ 21.79 | $ 45,310 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | 1,850 | 0.83 | $ 17.50 | $ 36,390 |
| Other Personal Services | 1,020 | 0.34 | $ 18.49 | $ 38,470 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 1,010 | 0.13 | $ 27.14 | $ 56,450 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 109,620 | 14.38 | $ 18.14 | $ 37,720 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | 1,850 | 0.83 | $ 17.50 | $ 36,390 |
| Other Personal Services | 1,020 | 0.34 | $ 18.49 | $ 38,470 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 1,010 | 0.13 | $ 27.14 | $ 56,450 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | 170 | 0.13 | $ 21.61 | $ 44,950 |
Top paying industries for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 140 | 0.04 | $ 31.11 | $ 64,720 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 1,010 | 0.13 | $ 27.14 | $ 56,450 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | 510 | 0.02 | $ 26.92 | $ 55,990 |
| Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS Designation) | 610 | 0.01 | $ 21.86 | $ 45,470 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 2,990 | 0.10 | $ 21.79 | $ 45,310 |
Geographic profile for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| Texas | 13,910 | 1.14 | 1.35 | $ 15.88 | $ 33,040 |
| California | 9,350 | 0.57 | 0.67 | $ 21.70 | $ 45,140 |
| Florida | 8,580 | 1.00 | 1.18 | $ 17.23 | $ 35,840 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,370 | 0.96 | 1.14 | $ 18.11 | $ 37,670 |
| New York | 5,100 | 0.59 | 0.70 | $ 21.90 | $ 45,560 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| Colorado | 3,800 | 1.45 | 1.72 | $ 19.22 | $ 39,980 |
| New Hampshire | 900 | 1.41 | 1.68 | $ 19.90 | $ 41,390 |
| Montana | 620 | 1.32 | 1.56 | $ 15.86 | $ 32,980 |
| Maine | 770 | 1.30 | 1.54 | $ 18.74 | $ 38,990 |
| Minnesota | 3,450 | 1.26 | 1.50 | $ 19.11 | $ 39,740 |
Top paying states for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| District of Columbia | 160 | 0.24 | 0.29 | $ 32.75 | $ 68,110 |
| Washington | 2,730 | 0.85 | 1.01 | $ 22.86 | $ 47,550 |
| New York | 5,100 | 0.59 | 0.70 | $ 21.90 | $ 45,560 |
| California | 9,350 | 0.57 | 0.67 | $ 21.70 | $ 45,140 |
| Connecticut | 1,790 | 1.14 | 1.35 | $ 21.34 | $ 44,380 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 5,030 | 0.58 | 0.69 | $ 22.31 | $ 46,410 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 3,890 | 1.08 | 1.29 | $ 16.52 | $ 34,360 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 3,260 | 0.77 | 0.91 | $ 21.44 | $ 44,600 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 3,180 | 1.10 | 1.30 | $ 16.25 | $ 33,800 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,990 | 0.52 | 0.62 | $ 20.76 | $ 43,180 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 2,620 | 0.99 | 1.17 | $ 19.68 | $ 40,930 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 2,510 | 0.97 | 1.15 | $ 21.31 | $ 44,320 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 2,460 | 1.35 | 1.60 | $ 19.82 | $ 41,220 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 2,350 | 1.11 | 1.32 | $ 17.77 | $ 36,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 2,030 | 0.69 | 0.82 | $ 22.72 | $ 47,260 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| Ithaca, NY | 190 | 4.02 | 4.78 | (8) | (8) |
| Manhattan, KS | 130 | 3.37 | 4.00 | $ 19.90 | $ 41,390 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 440 | 2.75 | 3.26 | $ 19.17 | $ 39,880 |
| Corvallis, OR | 100 | 2.74 | 3.25 | $ 22.87 | $ 47,580 |
| Ames, IA | 120 | 2.59 | 3.08 | $ 18.95 | $ 39,420 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 80 | 2.52 | 3.00 | $ 15.68 | $ 32,610 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 120 | 2.52 | 2.99 | $ 17.29 | $ 35,970 |
| Prescott, AZ | 160 | 2.40 | 2.85 | $ 16.78 | $ 34,910 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 210 | 2.31 | 2.74 | $ 19.20 | $ 39,940 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 590 | 2.30 | 2.73 | $ 16.19 | $ 33,680 |
Top paying metropolitan areas for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 470 | 0.44 | 0.52 | $ 27.88 | $ 57,990 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 1,230 | 0.55 | 0.65 | $ 25.11 | $ 52,220 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 140 | 1.52 | 1.80 | $ 24.68 | $ 51,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,590 | 0.83 | 0.98 | $ 24.00 | $ 49,920 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 250 | 1.31 | 1.56 | $ 23.23 | $ 48,320 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 440 | 1.17 | 1.39 | $ 22.89 | $ 47,600 |
| Corvallis, OR | 100 | 2.74 | 3.25 | $ 22.87 | $ 47,580 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 2,030 | 0.69 | 0.82 | $ 22.72 | $ 47,260 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 5,030 | 0.58 | 0.69 | $ 22.31 | $ 46,410 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 70 | 1.53 | 1.82 | $ 22.27 | $ 46,320 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| North Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 390 | 1.45 | 1.73 | $ 14.13 | $ 29,380 |
| Kansas nonmetropolitan area | 360 | 0.96 | 1.14 | $ 16.27 | $ 33,840 |
| Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 320 | 1.69 | 2.00 | $ 14.49 | $ 30,130 |
| North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) | 310 | 0.97 | 1.16 | $ 16.79 | $ 34,920 |
| Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | 270 | 1.49 | 1.77 | $ 18.44 | $ 38,360 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | 70 | 2.24 | 2.65 | $ 20.26 | $ 42,130 |
| Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | 190 | 1.91 | 2.27 | $ 16.34 | $ 33,980 |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | 150 | 1.90 | 2.26 | $ 15.60 | $ 32,460 |
| Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 320 | 1.69 | 2.00 | $ 14.49 | $ 30,130 |
| Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area | 120 | 1.65 | 1.96 | $ 16.71 | $ 34,760 |
Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:
| Nevada nonmetropolitan area | 60 | 0.57 | 0.68 | $ 22.56 | $ 46,930 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | 110 | 1.20 | 1.42 | $ 22.37 | $ 46,520 |
| Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 40 | 0.70 | 0.83 | $ 21.82 | $ 45,390 |
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | 100 | 0.82 | 0.97 | $ 20.89 | $ 43,460 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | 70 | 1.20 | 1.42 | $ 20.87 | $ 43,410 |
About May 2021 National, State, Metropolitan, and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia. The top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.
The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate—50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.
(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
(8) Estimate not released.
(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.
Other OEWS estimates and related information:
May 2021 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 Occupation Profiles
Technical Notes
Last Modified Date: March 31, 2022