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The differences between veterinary technician assistants 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 veterinary technician assistant and a surgery technician. Additionally, a surgery technician has an average salary of $41,646, which is higher than the $39,025 average annual salary of a veterinary technician assistant.
The top three skills for a veterinary technician assistant include patients, PET and patient care. The most important skills for a surgery technician are patients, patient care, and surgical procedures.
| Veterinary Technician Assistant | Surgery Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,025 | $41,646 |
| Hourly rate | $18.76 | $20.02 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 35,338 | 83,376 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 32 | 32 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
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.
Veterinary technician assistants and surgery technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Veterinary Technician Assistant | Surgery Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,025 | $41,646 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $49,000 | Between $31,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bakersfield, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | University of Wisconsin System | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a veterinary technician assistant and a surgery technician in terms of educational background:
| Veterinary Technician Assistant | Surgery Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | Ohio State University | Emory University |
Here are the differences between veterinary technician assistants' and surgery technicians' demographics:
| Veterinary Technician Assistant | Surgery Technician | |
| Average age | 32 | 32 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% | 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% |