A Veterinary technician salary is not very prestigious. However, the good part of this job is the satisfaction you will get after improving the lives of the animals and their owners. The motivation of veterinary technician comes from reducing the suffering and improving the health and safety of both the animal and their owners as this field is not a high paying career. In addition, as much as veterinary technician salaries are considered low there is also a possibility of higher earning potential. As with other professions, experience and knowledge will lead to a deeper understanding of your work, greater responsibility which will in turn translate to higher pay. Also, veterinary technician salary will vary depending on the area you choose to work.
A veterinary technician who has graduated from a veterinary technology program, passed the veterinary technician national examination (VTNE) and is licensed will earn a salary scale of between $31,000 and $37,000 a year depending on the employer. It is important to note that this is one career where contacts and experience are highly valued. The level of education also determines your salary. Veterinary technicians with an associate degree can expect a salary of $20,000 up to $38,000 annually while those with a bachelor’s degree will have a greater salary of between $33,000 and $42,500 per year.
As of 2011, the salary scale of licensed veterinary technician was as $34,000, a certified veterinary technician was is earning a salary of $32,000 and that of veterinary technician is $31,000. In addition, a registered veterinary technician is earning a salary of $35,000 while that of a veterinary research health technician stands at $40,000. Moreover, a veterinary technician assistant earns a salary of $37,000. The difference in the above salaries is due to the various certifications a veterinary technician has taken.
Veterinary technicians who have worked for a considerable amount of time and have gained vast experience may opt to specialize in the different categories available. The areas of specialties include surgical, dentistry, emergency and critical care, anesthesia and internal medicine. Veterinary technician specialists earn more than regular veterinary technicians. A veterinary technician who has specialized in surgical will earn a salary of $39000 while a specialist in emergency and critical care earns a salary of $38000. A dentistry specialist will earn a salary of $44,000, an anesthesia specialist earns a salary of $48,000 and a veterinary technician who specializes in internal medicine will earn a salary of $36000.
Apart from the monetary value there are other benefits that a full time veterinary technician enjoys. These benefits include vacation pay, holiday pay, sick leave, 401(k) plan and other health benefits. There are other factors that will affect the average veterinary technician salary. Veterinary technician working in Areas that area densely populated like New York City will earn a higher salary than a technician working in either Illinois or other lesser populated areas. Your employer may also determine your salary scale. Veterinary technicians employed by large organizations will earn more than those working in localized veterinary clinics. In addition, higher paying positions are normally based on higher skill levels. Therefore, anytime one becomes trained in additional skills such as keeping records you will definitely have a better pay and boost your reputation.