Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between veterinary technicians 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, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a veterinary technician has an average salary of $38,441, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a veterinary technician include PET, patients and anesthesia. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Veterinary Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $38,441 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $18.48 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 41,022 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 32 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
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 technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Veterinary Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $38,441 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $48,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Rafael, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a veterinary technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Veterinary Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | - |
Here are the differences between veterinary technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Veterinary Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 32 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.8% Female, 82.2% | 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% |