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Veterinary technician assistant vs kennel technician

The differences between veterinary technician assistants and kennel technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a veterinary technician assistant has an average salary of $39,025, which is higher than the $26,664 average annual salary of a kennel technician.

The top three skills for a veterinary technician assistant include patients, PET and patient care. The most important skills for a kennel technician are PET, facility laundry, and administer medications.

Veterinary technician assistant vs kennel technician overview

Veterinary Technician AssistantKennel Technician
Yearly salary$39,025$26,664
Hourly rate$18.76$12.82
Growth rate20%19%
Number of jobs35,33830,123
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%High School Diploma, 39%
Average age3229
Years of experience12-

What does a veterinary technician assistant do?

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.

What does a kennel technician do?

Kennel technicians are employees who work in animal boarding houses, veterinary clinics, and shelters. Primarily, they take care of and maintain animals living in a kennel. They are responsible for the upkeep of animals under their supervision and ensure they are healthy, happy, and clean. Often, they work with cats and dogs, although they may also care for other domestic animals. They should have skills in handling animals, sanitation, cleaning, friendly office help, and primary animal care.

Veterinary technician assistant vs kennel technician salary

Veterinary technician assistants and kennel technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Veterinary Technician AssistantKennel Technician
Average salary$39,025$26,664
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $49,000Between $20,000 And $35,000
Highest paying CityBakersfield, CAAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNorth Dakota
Best paying companyUniversity of Wisconsin SystemVetCor
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between veterinary technician assistant and kennel technician education

There are a few differences between a veterinary technician assistant and a kennel technician in terms of educational background:

Veterinary Technician AssistantKennel Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%High School Diploma, 39%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeOhio State UniversityNorthwestern University

Veterinary technician assistant vs kennel technician demographics

Here are the differences between veterinary technician assistants' and kennel technicians' demographics:

Veterinary Technician AssistantKennel Technician
Average age3229
Gender ratioMale, 16.8% Female, 83.2%Male, 24.0% Female, 76.0%
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, 17.9% Asian, 3.2% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage9%10%

Differences between veterinary technician assistant and kennel technician duties and responsibilities

Veterinary technician assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage tech appointments, suture removal, bandage removal and placement, CPR and emergency care when need.
  • Prepare patients for surgical procedures by executing blood draws and catheter placement.
  • Provide compassion and understanding to clients with end of life decisions and euthanasia.
  • Kennel work, vet assistance with surgeries, iv fluids, med dispensing and restraining animals
  • Assist Dr. and RVT's with collecting patient histories, obtaining TPR, and restraining patients.
  • General practice, assisting DVM with literally everything in a small one doctor, one technician practice.
  • Show more

Kennel technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage, and safely operate the MWD explosive program.
  • Place iv catheters in dogs and cats.
  • Maintain and update website and FaceBook page.
  • Restrain animals for various procedures such as blood draws and catheter placement.
  • Operate autoclaves for the sterilization of clean supplies as well as potentially infectious waste for disposal.
  • Perform animal grooming duties such as washing, and brushing coats, trimming nails, and cleaning ears.
  • Show more

Veterinary technician assistant vs kennel technician skills

Common veterinary technician assistant skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • PET, 17%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Anesthesia, 5%
  • Catheter, 5%
  • Lab Tests, 4%
Common kennel technician skills
  • PET, 27%
  • Facility Laundry, 10%
  • Administer Medications, 10%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 5%
  • Animal Handling, 4%
  • Front Desk, 4%

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