collageAre you interested in knowing all about surgical veterinary technician salaries? Have you earnestly been searching the internet for the best information on it? You need not search further as the article below brings you all you need to know about it. You will also discover related posts on surgical veterinary technician salary, veterinary technician salary, how to become a vet tech without college, vet tech programs, veterinary technician certification requirements by state, veterinary technician schools near me, vet tech degree, vet tech job description & vet tech school on collegelearners.
Surgical veterinary technicians typically work with veterinarians in clinics, laboratories, and food production facilities. Their primary role is to assist veterinarians during surgeries by adjusting equipment, passing instruments, holding retractors, and taking tissue samples. These technicians also monitor anaesthesia during surgery to ensure safety. They clean instruments, sterilize surgical areas and help veterinarians examine laboratory results. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median annual wage for animal caretakers was $24,170 in May 2010.”
If you are passionate about animals then you might want to think about taking surgical vet tech schools near me. Veterinarian surgeons are responsible for operating on animals which means that the veterinary surgical technician must assist with the surgical procedure. To become a veterinary surgical technician, you need to get certified.
About Vet Tech Programs
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a veterinary surgery technician. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.52 an hour? That’s $44,756 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 19% and produce 21,100 job opportunities across the U.S.
What Does a Veterinary Surgery Technician Do
There are certain skills that many veterinary surgery technicians have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed communication skills, compassion and detail-oriented.
When it comes to the most important skills required to be a veterinary surgery technician, we found that a lot of resumes listed 14.4% of veterinary surgery technicians included surgical procedures, while 13.3% of resumes included surgery, and 11.5% of resumes included radiology. Hard skills like these are helpful to have when it comes to performing essential job responsibilities.
When it comes to searching for a job, many searches for a key term or phrase. Instead, it might be more helpful to search by industry, as you might be missing jobs that you never thought about in industries that you didn’t even think offered positions related to the veterinary surgery technician job title. But what industry to start with? Most veterinary surgery technicians actually find jobs in the health care and education industries.
Vet Tech Degree
How To Become a Veterinary Surgery Technician
If you’re interested in becoming a veterinary surgery technician, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We’ve determined that 21.9% of veterinary surgery technicians have a bachelor’s degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 9.6% of veterinary surgery technicians have master’s degrees. Even though some veterinary surgery technicians have a college degree, it’s possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a veterinary surgery technician. When we researched the most common majors for a veterinary surgery technician, we found that they most commonly earn associate degree degrees or bachelor’s degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on veterinary surgery technician resumes include high school diploma degrees or master’s degree degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a veterinary surgery technician. In fact, many veterinary surgery technician jobs require experience in a role such as veterinary technician. Meanwhile, many veterinary surgery technicians also have previous career experience in roles such as vet assistant or internship.
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Average Salary
$44,756
Job Growth Rate
19%
Job Openings
15,711
Surgical Veterinary Technician Salary
Bluepearl logo
BluepearlEden Prairie, MN
Veterinary Technician – Surgery
Skills: Specialty Care, Anesthesia, Lifestyle, Emergency, Digital Radiography, Identify Patients, Proper Technique, Surgery
2d ago
NEW
$29k-37k yearly est.
E
Ethos Veterinary HealthSan Rafael, CA
Veterinary Technician – Surgery
Skills: Positive Attitude, Anesthesia, Soft Tissue, Emergency, Venipuncture, Digital Radiography, Laparoscopic, IV
27d ago
$37k-57k yearly est.
VCA logo
VCAAurora, IL
Veterinary Technician Supervisor- Surgery & Neurology
Skills: Physical Exams, CVT, Surgeons, On-Call, Veterinary Medicine, Oncology, Department Policies, Private Practice
27d ago
$37k-70k yearly est.
Johns Hopkins University logo
Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD
Veterinary Surgery Technician
Skills: Radiology, FLU, Hepatitis, Mumps, CPR, ECG, Electronic Records, Invasive Procedures
40d ago
$16.3-22.4 hourly
E
Ethos Veterinary HealthGrafton, WI
Veterinary Technician – Surgery
Skills: Positive Attitude, Soft Tissue, CVT, Laparoscopic, Trauma, Knowledge Base, Anesthesia, Emergency
27d ago
$29k-42k yearly est.
E
Ethos Veterinary HealthSan Diego, CA
Veterinary Technician Supervisor – Surgery
Skills: Onsite, Performance Evaluations, Disciplinary Actions, Surgeons, High Risk Patients, Entire Hospital, Staff Meetings, Hospital Staff
27d ago
$32k-48k yearly est.
Bluepearl logo
BluepearlConshohocken, PA
Veterinary Technician – Surgery
Skills: Surgery, Social Workers, Emergency, Fluid Therapy
22d ago
$41k-68k yearly est.
Bluepearl logo
BluepearlLafayette, CO
Veterinary Technician – Surgery
Skills: Positive Attitude, Specialty Care, Scheduling Appointments, Lifestyle, LVT, CVT, Surgeons, CPR
19d ago
$18-24 hourly
VCA logo
VCAPittsburgh, PA
Veterinary Technician, Surgery Department
Skills: Oncology, Surgical Services, Anesthesia, Emergency, Cardiology, Communication, CVT, IV
21d ago
$49k-97k yearly est.
VCA logo
VCAWakefield, MA
Experienced Veterinary Technician – Surgery
Skills: Oncology, Emergency, Cardiology, CVT, Exam Rooms, Ultrasound, Patient Care, Surgery
20d ago
$56k-96k yearly est.
surgical vet tech schools
1. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • PrivateIn-State Tuition$17,653Enrollment16,405
2. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • PrivateIn-State Tuition$51,306Enrollment6,975
3. Kettering College
Kettering, OH • PrivateIn-State Tuition$12,960Enrollment610
4. Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH • PrivateIn-State Tuition$49,042Enrollment5,131
5. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • PrivateIn-State Tuition$15,730Enrollment18,830
6. New York University
New York, NY • PrivateIn-State Tuition$51,828Enrollment26,339
7. Maria College of Albany
Albany, NY • PrivateIn-State Tuition$15,140Enrollment876
8. Clarkson College
Omaha, NE • PrivateIn-State Tuition$13,392Enrollment646
9. Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Roanoke, VA • PrivateIn-State Tuition$26,886Enrollment774Details
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • PrivateIn-State Tuition$9,992Enrollment33,495
Veterinary Technician Schools Near Me
Veterinary Surgery Technicians in America make an average salary of $44,756 per year or $22 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $71,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent is under $27,000 per year.
Average Salary
$44,756
Best Paying Cities
0
Recently Added Salaries
Veterinary Surgery Technician
Johns Hopkins University
01/23/2021
$33,935
Large Animal Hospital Service Veterinary Technician I/II-Surgery (Care)
University of Florida
01/21/2021
$31,305
Veterinary Technician-Surgery
Bluepearl
01/05/2021
$37,566
Veterinary Surgery Technician 2
Oregon Health & Science University
11/12/2020
$47,104
Veterinary Surgery Technician
Johns Hopkins University
09/19/2020
$33,935
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VETERINARY SURGERY TECHNICIAN DEMOGRAPHICS
Compare Jobs
Gender
Female
81.3 %
Male
17.8 %
Unknown
0.9 %
Ethnicity
White
83.5 %
Hispanic Or Latino
9.0 %
Black Or African American
3.0 %
Show More
Foreign Languages Spoken
Spanish
50.0 %
Portuguese
25.0 %
Thai
25.0 %
See More Demographics
VETERINARY SURGERY TECHNICIAN EDUCATION
Compare Jobs
Majors
Medical Assisting Services
41.9 %
Animal Science
6.5 %
Veterinary Medicine
6.5 %
Show More
Degrees
Associate
46.6 %
Bachelors
21.9 %
High School Diploma
11.0 %
Show More
Top Colleges for Veterinary Surgery Technicians
University of Virginia
- University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Public
In-State Tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
Details
Emory University
- Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
Details
Kettering College
- Kettering College
Kettering, OH • Private
In-State Tuition
$12,960
Enrollment
610
how to become a veterinary surgical technician
Here is a granular breakdown of the steps to become a veterinary technician specialist (VTS):
Step 1: Graduate from high school or pass GED
At this stage, aspiring VTS candidates are encouraged to excel in science and math classes to set themselves up for success in a college program. Suggested coursework includes biology, chemistry, anatomy or physiology (where available), and algebra. Since becoming a VTS ultimately requires the candidate to be comfortable handling scientific equipment, students should ensure that they have opportunities to conduct experiments in a laboratory. Additionally, high school students are encouraged to volunteer in a veterinary care setting to gain experience (and future letters of recommendation) from licensed animal healthcare professionals.
Step 2: Graduate from an accredited degree program in veterinary technology or a related field (two to four years)
In order to qualify for registration, certification, or licensure as a vet tech—a prerequisite for all specialized credentialing—aspiring vet techs must graduate from an associate or bachelor’s degree program accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), a branch of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Please visit the homepage for a breakdown of all accredited vet tech schools by state and online vet tech schools.
Typical admissions requirements into CVTEA-accredited vet tech programs are the submission of high school transcripts with proof of specific coursework; a personal statement (500-600 words); and an application fee. Some programs also require applicants to complete a background check; send proof of immunizations; submit test scores (SAT, ACT, or TOEFL for non-native English speakers); complete prerequisite coursework before applying, or undergo a candidate interview with program faculty.
Undergraduate programs in veterinary technology or animal science feature courses such as diagnostic imaging; animal dentistry; pharmacology; anatomy & physiology; animal nursing; microbiology; and veterinary ethics, among others. It’s important to add that depending on one’s state of residence, a credentialing entity may accept years of experience in lieu of completing an accredited program. Check out local board requirements by reaching out to the appropriate regional authority, a list of which is available from the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVB 2021) or through individual vet tech state licensure pages on this site.
Step 3: Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (less than one year)
The VTNE is offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) and is the main national credentialing test for veterinary technicians. Most schools feature their three-year passing rates among program graduates on their school websites.
The VTNE is offered during three-month-long periods annually and measures students’ competency in nine discrete concepts such as surgical nursing; anaesthesia; pharmacy & pharmacology; and emergency medicine, among other domains. The exam currently costs $330.
Step 4: Apply for state credentialing (less than one year)
In a majority of US states, veterinary technicians and technologists must seek credentialing prior to beginning work. The designation varies by state, but there are three main terms used: registered, certified, or licensed veterinary technician (RVT, CVT, or LVT, respectively).
To qualify for state credentialing, candidates typically must submit their transcripts from a two- to four-year CVTEA-accredited program; passing scores on the VTNE; and an application fee. It’s important to add that some states ask candidates to pass a local exam as well, and many applications call for proof of citizenship; passport-style photos; or a background check.
Step 5: Gain experience in a specialty and apply to a NAVTA-recognized academy for certification (three or more years)
The final step to becoming a VTS is to gain experience in one’s specialty of interest and apply for certification from a recognized academy.
Typical application materials to earn the VTS designation include:
- Completed application with work experience, including proof of 1,000-10,000 hours of experience in the specialty area
- Copy of RVT, CVT, or LVT credential
- 40+ hours of continuing education (CE) related to the specialization
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Skills assessment signed by a supervisor
- Case logs
- Detailed case studies
- Passing score on a specialized exam
- Application fee
- Exam fee
Continuing education (CE) in a vet tech’s speciality is required to qualify for most VTS credentials. CE is also required to maintain state licensure and VTS status. Specialized CE opportunities are available on most academy websites and include the following resources:
- National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
- Colorado State University Continuing Education
- Ohio State University Continuing Education
- VetMed Team
- VetBloom
- Veterinary Support Personnel Network (VSPN)
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Veterinary Surgical Technician Jobs
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Veterinary Surgical Technician job is above the national average. Topping the list is San Francisco, CA, with Fremont, CA and San Jose, CA close behind in the second and third positions. San Jose, CA beats the national average by $8,637 (18.5%), and San Francisco, CA furthers that trend with another $12,610 (26.9%) above the $46,813 average.
Importantly, San Francisco, CA has a moderately active Veterinary Surgical Technician job market with only a few companies currently hiring for this type of role.
With these 10 cities having average salaries higher than the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Veterinary Surgical Technician appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top ten cities varies very little at 10% between San Francisco, CA and Norwalk, CT, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for a Veterinary Surgical Technician role.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $59,423 | $4,952 | $1,143 | $28.57 |
| Fremont, CA | $56,966 | $4,747 | $1,096 | $27.39 |
| San Jose, CA | $55,450 | $4,621 | $1,066 | $26.66 |
| Oakland, CA | $54,830 | $4,569 | $1,054 | $26.36 |
| Tanaina, AK | $54,637 | $4,553 | $1,051 | $26.27 |
| Wasilla, AK | $54,637 | $4,553 | $1,051 | $26.27 |
| Hayward, CA | $53,681 | $4,473 | $1,032 | $25.81 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $53,536 | $4,461 | $1,030 | $25.74 |
| Jackson, WY | $53,521 | $4,460 | $1,029 | $25.73 |
| Norwalk, CT | $53,410 | $4,451 | $1,027 | $25.68 |
Top 5 Best Paying Related Veterinary Surgical Technician Jobs in the U.S.
We found at least five jobs related to the Veterinary Surgical Technician job category that pay more per year than a typical Veterinary Surgical Technician salary. Top examples of these roles include Veterinary Anesthesiologist, Veterinary Medical Officer, and Veterinary Surgeon.
Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $69,014 (147.4%) and $134,027 (286.3%) more than the average Veterinary Surgical Technician salary of $46,813. If you’re qualified, getting hired for one of these related Veterinary Surgical Technician jobs may help you make more money than that of the average Veterinary Surgical Technician position.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Anesthesiologist | $180,840 | $15,070 | $3,478 | $86.94 |
| Veterinary Medical Officer | $124,669 | $10,389 | $2,397 | $59.94 |
| Veterinary Surgeon | $120,927 | $10,077 | $2,326 | $58.14 |
| Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer | $120,009 | $10,001 | $2,308 | $57.70 |
| Remote Veterinary Surgeon | $115,827 | $9,652 | $2,227 | $55.69 |
About Our DataZipRecruiter salary estimates, histograms, trends and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. Data used to develop this report includes ADP data. ADP is an exclusive provider of employee payroll data for ZipRecruiter.
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