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The differences between veterinary technicians and veterinary technician assistants 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 veterinary technician assistant. Additionally, a veterinary technician assistant has an average salary of $39,025, 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 veterinary technician assistant are patients, PET, and patient care.
| Veterinary Technician | Veterinary Technician Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $38,441 | $39,025 |
| Hourly rate | $18.48 | $18.76 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 41,022 | 35,338 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| 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 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.
Veterinary technicians and veterinary technician assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Veterinary Technician | Veterinary Technician Assistant | |
| Average salary | $38,441 | $39,025 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $48,000 | Between $30,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Rafael, CA | Bakersfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute | University of Wisconsin System |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a veterinary technician and a veterinary technician assistant in terms of educational background:
| Veterinary Technician | Veterinary Technician Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Ohio State University |
Here are the differences between veterinary technicians' and veterinary technician assistants' demographics:
| Veterinary Technician | Veterinary Technician Assistant | |
| Average age | 32 | 32 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.8% Female, 82.2% | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% |
| 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% |