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The differences between licensed veterinary technicians and surgery technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a licensed veterinary technician and a surgery technician. Additionally, a surgery technician has an average salary of $41,646, which is higher than the $40,369 average annual salary of a licensed veterinary technician.
The top three skills for a licensed veterinary technician include PET, patients and anesthesia. The most important skills for a surgery technician are patients, patient care, and surgical procedures.
| Licensed Veterinary Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,369 | $41,646 |
| Hourly rate | $19.41 | $20.02 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 29,983 | 83,376 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 64% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 32 | 32 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A licensed veterinary technician serves as the assistant of the veterinarian who is responsible for doing clinical work inside a clinic or a veterinary hospital. They monitor and observe the current health situation of an animal and also give them first aid when needed. They are also tasked to collect specimens and conduct different laboratory tests, then give it to the veterinarian to determine the pet's health condition. Vet techs can also perform vaccination or prepare sick animals for tests or surgery.
A surgery technician plays a vital role in the success of medical surgeries. They are primarily in charge of performing essential support tasks such as sanitizing and preparing operating rooms, setting-up equipment, sterilizing instruments, and ensuring that supplies are accurate and adequate. They also prepare patients before surgeries, assist surgeons by handing out supplies or tools, and participate in transporting the patients from one room to another. Moreover, they must maintain an active communication line with nurses and surgeons, coordinating every step of the way.
Licensed veterinary technicians and surgery technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Licensed Veterinary Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,369 | $41,646 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $52,000 | Between $31,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Diego, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a licensed veterinary technician and a surgery technician in terms of educational background:
| Licensed Veterinary Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 64% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | University of Virginia | Emory University |
Here are the differences between licensed veterinary technicians' and surgery technicians' demographics:
| Licensed Veterinary Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Average age | 32 | 32 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5% | Male, 26.3% Female, 73.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 9% | 9% |