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Veterinary care is a steady, growing field — the BLS projects vet tech employment to grow 9% over the next decade, much faster than average. This page pulls together veterinary and animal care jobs across the country: veterinary assistants, licensed veterinary technicians, and associate veterinarians.
As with dental and other clinical fields, the entry point you choose changes everything about timeline and pay. A veterinary assistant can start with on-the-job training in a matter of weeks. A licensed vet tech needs an accredited associate degree and a national exam. A veterinarian needs a bachelor's degree plus four years of veterinary school and state licensure.
Types of veterinary jobs
Veterinary assistant. Restrains and comforts animals, cleans kennels and exam rooms, and supports the vet and techs during exams and surgery. The fastest entry point — many clinics train on the job with no formal program required.
Licensed veterinary technician (LVT/CVT/RVT). Performs more advanced clinical work — drawing blood, running lab tests, monitoring anesthesia, dental cleanings — under a veterinarian's supervision. Requires an accredited associate degree (about 2 years) and passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam.
Associate veterinarian (DVM). Diagnoses and treats animals, performs surgery, and prescribes medication. Requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (4 years after a bachelor's) and state licensure. Compensation often includes production bonuses tied to revenue generated.
How much do veterinary jobs pay?
- Veterinary assistants average about $39,025/year (roughly $19/hour).
- Licensed veterinary technicians earn a median of $45,980/year per the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2024 data), roughly $23/hour.
- Veterinarians earn considerably more — a median of $125,510/year per the BLS — reflecting the DVM degree and licensure required. Real postings often run higher with production bonuses and sign-on incentives factored in.
How to break into veterinary care
- Veterinary assistant — the fastest entry. Many clinics hire and train directly, no formal program required, though short certificate courses exist and can help.
- Licensed vet tech — plan for about 2 years. An accredited associate degree program, followed by the Veterinary Technician National Exam and any state-specific requirements.
- Veterinarian — plan for 8 years total. A bachelor's degree (often with pre-vet coursework), followed by 4 years of veterinary school (DVM), then state licensure.
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Veterinary jobs — FAQ
What's the difference between a veterinary assistant and a vet tech?
A veterinary assistant supports the clinic — restraining animals, cleaning, basic care — usually with on-the-job training or a short certificate, no license required. A licensed veterinary technician (LVT/CVT/RVT) performs more advanced clinical work — anesthesia monitoring, lab work, dental cleanings — and must complete an accredited associate degree program and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam.
How much do veterinary jobs pay?
Veterinary assistants average about $39,000/year ($19/hour). Licensed veterinary technicians earn a median of $45,980/year (about $23/hour). Veterinarians earn considerably more — a median of $125,510/year — reflecting the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree required.
Do I need a degree to work with animals professionally?
Not for every role. Veterinary assistant is the most accessible entry point — many clinics train on the job with no formal program. Becoming a licensed vet tech requires an accredited associate degree (about 2 years) plus a national exam. Becoming a veterinarian requires a bachelor's degree followed by a 4-year DVM program and state licensure.
Is a veterinary job worth pursuing?
Veterinary care offers real, growing demand and, like dental and human healthcare, a genuine choice of entry point — a fast start as an assistant, a two-year technician path, or a full doctorate. Pay scales directly with training length, and production bonuses at the veterinarian level can meaningfully boost total compensation.
Check the listings above and match the role to the training timeline you're actually ready to commit to.