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The differences between veterinary technicians 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 and a surgery technician. Additionally, a surgery technician has an average salary of $41,646, which is higher than the $38,441 average annual salary of a veterinary technician.
The top three skills for a veterinary technician include PET, patients and anesthesia. The most important skills for a surgery technician are patients, patient care, and surgical procedures.
| Veterinary Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $38,441 | $41,646 |
| Hourly rate | $18.48 | $20.02 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 41,022 | 83,376 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 32 | 32 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
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 technicians and surgery technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Veterinary Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Average salary | $38,441 | $41,646 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $48,000 | Between $31,000 And $55,000 |
| 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 technician and a surgery technician in terms of educational background:
| Veterinary Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Emory University |
Here are the differences between veterinary technicians' and surgery technicians' demographics:
| Veterinary Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Average age | 32 | 32 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.8% Female, 82.2% | 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% |