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The differences between associate veterinarians and veterinary technician assistants 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 a veterinary technician assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an associate veterinarian has an average salary of $78,407, which is higher than the $39,025 average annual salary of a veterinary technician assistant.
The top three skills for an associate veterinarian include PET, patients and private practice. The most important skills for a veterinary technician assistant are patients, PET, and patient care.
| Associate Veterinarian | Veterinary Technician Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $78,407 | $39,025 |
| Hourly rate | $37.70 | $18.76 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 13,071 | 35,338 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| 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.
A veterinary technician assistant is primarily in charge of performing support tasks in a veterinary hospital or clinic. Their responsibilities include administering medication to animals in adherence to the veterinarian's directives and performing basic care tasks such as feeding, bathing, and walking animals. They may also clean cages, sterilize equipment, prepare and process documents, and answer calls and inquiries. Furthermore, as a veterinary technician assistant, it is essential to monitor the behavior of animals, reporting to the veterinarian or technician should there be any problems.
Associate veterinarians and veterinary technician assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Veterinarian | Veterinary Technician Assistant | |
| Average salary | $78,407 | $39,025 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $149,000 | Between $30,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Bakersfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | California |
| Best paying company | Providence Hospital | University of Wisconsin System |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an associate veterinarian and a veterinary technician assistant in terms of educational background:
| Associate Veterinarian | Veterinary Technician Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Veterinary Medicine | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Ohio State University |
Here are the differences between associate veterinarians' and veterinary technician assistants' demographics:
| Associate Veterinarian | Veterinary Technician Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 32 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0% | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% |
| 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% |