Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between veterinary technician assistants and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a veterinary technician assistant, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a veterinary technician assistant has an average salary of $39,025, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a veterinary technician assistant include patients, PET and patient care. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Veterinary Technician Assistant | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,025 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $18.76 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 35,338 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 32 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Veterinary technician assistants and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Veterinary Technician Assistant | Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,025 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $49,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bakersfield, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | University of Wisconsin System | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a veterinary technician assistant and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Veterinary Technician Assistant | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Business |
| Most common college | Ohio State University | - |
Here are the differences between veterinary technician assistants' and technicians' demographics:
| Veterinary Technician Assistant | Technician | |
| Average age | 32 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 2% |