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The differences between veterinary receptionists and veterinary technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a veterinary receptionist, becoming a veterinary technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a veterinary technician has an average salary of $38,441, which is higher than the $30,620 average annual salary of a veterinary receptionist.
The top three skills for a veterinary receptionist include PET, customer service and client service. The most important skills for a veterinary technician are PET, patients, and anesthesia.
| Veterinary Receptionist | Veterinary Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $30,620 | $38,441 |
| Hourly rate | $14.72 | $18.48 |
| Growth rate | - | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 43,033 | 41,022 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 42 | 32 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
The veterinary receptionist caters to clients and their pets in a veterinary clinic. The veterinary receptionist's job is to communicate with clients, answer inquiries, and schedule appointments with a veterinarian. The veterinary receptionist also handles all the records of the clinic, information about all pets and clients. This person also needs to have good communication skills, be highly organized, and has a pleasing disposition and personality. Additional tasks of a veterinary receptionist are maintenance of the reception area, and if needed, process payments and other financial transactions such as insurance.
A Veterinary Technician, also known as Vet Tech, specializes in performing laboratory tasks and providing immediate and necessary care to animals in a Hospital Clinic or Research Facility under the supervision of a Veterinarian. Moreover, a Veterinary Technician is in charge of administering medicines or treatments, gathering samples such as blood and urine for analysis, monitoring a patient's condition and learning its history, and conducting hygienic procedures such as dental and welfare. There also instances where a Veterinary Technician must communicate with pet owners, sharing extensive knowledge on how to take better care of them.
Veterinary receptionists and veterinary technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Veterinary Receptionist | Veterinary Technician | |
| Average salary | $30,620 | $38,441 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $37,000 | Between $30,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Rafael, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a veterinary receptionist and a veterinary technician in terms of educational background:
| Veterinary Receptionist | Veterinary Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Business | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | - | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between veterinary receptionists' and veterinary technicians' demographics:
| Veterinary Receptionist | Veterinary Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 32 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 5.8% Female, 94.2% | Male, 17.8% Female, 82.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.6% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | 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 | 6% | 9% |