8 facts about vet techs that prove just how much they’re worth

Veterinary technicians add value for pets, clients and clinics — plus they make smart marketing targets for animal health companies.

The role of a vet tech is hands-on, fast-paced and completely indispensable to the clinic.

• Depending on the technicians's state of residence, a credentialed veterinary technician may also be referred to as licensed veterinary technician (LVT), registered veterinary technician (RVT) or certified veterinary technician (CVT) .

• Technicians can specialize in dentistry, emergency and critical care, anesthesia, internal medicine and much more. National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) supports advanced training for techs and also advocates on their behalf on a number of issues.

• Veterinary technicians are vital for creating more effective and efficient use of veterinarians' time, including improving client communications.

• Their role is bigger than just cleaning kennels and walking dogs. Veterinary technicians take vital signs, collect samples, perform laboratory tests, trim nails, clean teeth...on top of communicating between veterinarians and pet owners.

  
  

It's a field that's growing rapidly but is still misunderstood and underappreciated.

• 20% of pet owners believe vet techs have less than two years of higher education. However, when pet owners learn about the required level of education, 69% said they would feel more confident and comfortable with the level of care provided by a CVT.[1]

• On average, for every credentialed veterinary technician a practice employed, the practice generated over $207,000 more in gross revenue.[2] Sixty-eight percent of practices schedule veterinary technician specific appointments.[3] 

• According to a NAVTA survey conducted in 2022, 60% of veterinary technicians earned between $16 and $25 per hour.[4]

• Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 20 percent from 2021 to 2031.[5]

  
  

Show your appreciation for these dedicated, passionate professionals. Thank a veterinary technician during National Veterinary Technician Week—and every week! 

1. "Who's involved in the care of your pet?" NAVC, March 29, 2022. Accessed October 17, 2022.

2. Contribution of veterinary technicians to veterinary business revenue, 2007, JAVMA, Vol236, No 8 April 15, 2010; current value calculated using Smartasset Inflation Calculator.

3. NAVTA 2016 Demographic Survey Results.

4. “Be an Advocate for Better Pay.” Today’s Veterinary Nurse, September 6, 2022 Accessed October 17, 2022

5. 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians. Accessed October 17, 2022.