Post job

Veterinarian technician vs licensed veterinary technician

The differences between veterinarian technicians and licensed veterinary 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 veterinarian technician and a licensed veterinary technician. Additionally, a licensed veterinary technician has an average salary of $40,369, which is higher than the $38,198 average annual salary of a veterinarian technician.

The top three skills for a veterinarian technician include patients, PET and anesthesia. The most important skills for a licensed veterinary technician are PET, patients, and anesthesia.

Veterinarian technician vs licensed veterinary technician overview

Veterinarian TechnicianLicensed Veterinary Technician
Yearly salary$38,198$40,369
Hourly rate$18.36$19.41
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs37,89829,983
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 64%
Average age3232
Years of experience1212

Veterinarian technician vs licensed veterinary technician salary

Veterinarian technicians and licensed veterinary technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Veterinarian TechnicianLicensed Veterinary Technician
Average salary$38,198$40,369
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $49,000Between $31,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CityPetaluma, CASan Diego, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyBoehringer IngelheimZoetis
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between veterinarian technician and licensed veterinary technician education

There are a few differences between a veterinarian technician and a licensed veterinary technician in terms of educational background:

Veterinarian TechnicianLicensed Veterinary Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 64%
Most common majorBiologyMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia

Veterinarian technician vs licensed veterinary technician demographics

Here are the differences between veterinarian technicians' and licensed veterinary technicians' demographics:

Veterinarian TechnicianLicensed Veterinary Technician
Average age3232
Gender ratioMale, 22.7% Female, 77.3%Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between veterinarian technician and licensed veterinary technician duties and responsibilities

Veterinarian technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage tech appointments, suture removal, bandage removal and placement, CPR and emergency care when need.
  • Conduct general triage of all appointments before seen by DVM.
  • Assist DVM with schedule appointments, restrain pets as needed, draw blood and place I.V.
  • Develop and implement new drug control procedures as well as pet control and identification program
  • Draw up blood work & assist veterinarian during physical exam of patients, administer controlled/uncontrol drugs to patients
  • Prepare patients for examinations by assessing potential problems prior to entering examination room with doctor -assist Dr. McMahon with surgery
  • Show more

Licensed veterinary technician example responsibilities.

  • Place intravenous catheters manage iv lines and medication administration.
  • Perform venipuncture for catheter placement, urinary catheter placement and lab diagnostics.
  • Induce and monitor anesthesia during surgery and diagnostic procedures.
  • Perform venipuncture from various sites for necessary laboratory tests.
  • Job responsibilities include assisting the veterinary surgeon and veterinary assistant with admitting patients for routine spay/ neuter surgery.
  • Perform daily tests on autoclaves.
  • Show more

Veterinarian technician vs licensed veterinary technician skills

Common veterinarian technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • PET, 9%
  • Anesthesia, 8%
  • Catheter, 7%
  • Lab Tests, 7%
  • Surgery Room, 6%
Common licensed veterinary technician skills
  • PET, 16%
  • Patients, 14%
  • Anesthesia, 8%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Catheter, 7%
  • Venipuncture, 6%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs