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The differences between associate veterinarians and animal technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an associate veterinarian, becoming an animal technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an associate veterinarian has an average salary of $78,407, which is higher than the $31,378 average annual salary of an animal technician.
The top three skills for an associate veterinarian include PET, patients and private practice. The most important skills for an animal technician are animal handling, autoclaves, and euthanasia.
| Associate Veterinarian | Animal Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $78,407 | $31,378 |
| Hourly rate | $37.70 | $15.09 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 13,071 | 39,917 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 44 | 32 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
An associate veterinarian specializes in providing medical care and treatment to animals. One may work part-time or full-time at a veterinary clinic, together with practice owners, assistants, and veterinary technicians. An associate veterinarian's responsibilities primarily revolve around examining animals to diagnose any injuries or diseases, performing surgeries, and administering or prescribing medication. Other responsibilities include discussing the pets' condition to owners, ensuring to relay the necessary care and welfare advice needed during treatment, or after surgery. Moreover, an associate veterinarian may also euthanize, spay, neuter, and even perform dental procedures to animals.
An animal technician is responsible for ensuring the animals' welfare under the supervision and guidance of a licensed veterinarian. Animal technicians maintain an organized record of animal information, assisting in medical surgeries and procedures, administering medications, collecting laboratory samples, and sending examination reports to the animal owners. They also keep the cages clean, inspecting the clinic's tools and equipment, and sterilizing laboratory materials to avoid contamination. An animal technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in responding to the owners' inquiries and concerns and monitoring the animals' conditions.
Associate veterinarians and animal technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Veterinarian | Animal Technician | |
| Average salary | $78,407 | $31,378 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $149,000 | Between $19,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | New York |
| Best paying company | Providence Hospital | Harvard University |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an associate veterinarian and an animal technician in terms of educational background:
| Associate Veterinarian | Animal Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Veterinary Medicine | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Ohio State University |
Here are the differences between associate veterinarians' and animal technicians' demographics:
| Associate Veterinarian | Animal Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 32 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0% | Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 4.9% White, 83.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 9% |