How much can a Veterinary Assistant make?

Question

I am living in Ohio right now and may be moving to Colorado soon, any differences in salary?
How long is the training? And what can I promote to after recieving my license?

Answer 1

The veterinary assistant is an entry level position at most animal hospitals, which means you may be able to find a job without going through any formal training. You would start with the more mundane tasks such as cleaning cages, exercising dogs, doing laundry, and cleaning and stocking the rooms of the hospital. You would receive on the job training that will prepare you for more advanced tasks such as animal restraint, surgical assistance, medication administration, blood collection, helping take x-rays, and assisting with laboratory tests. You might be expected to cross train as a receptionist too.

Employers hiring veterinary assistants will look on the resume for any type of animal care experience (vet, pet store, ranch, boarding kennel, 4H or FFA, etc.), evidence of dependibility (prior work experience, good school attendance record), and education (high school, any animal related courses). They generally are not impressed with the fact that you've cared for your own pets, but if you've volunteered for an animal organization or had your own pet-sitting business, be sure to include that.

If you have any background in organization, management, or interacting with the public, that is a plus too.

When you visit the hospital, make sure you are clean and well groomed and dress in conservative clothing. Conduct yourself as a mature, professional adult, but still be cheerful, friendly and outgoing. They are looking for someone who is serious about doing a good job and who is easy to get along with.

Because there are more jobs than there are quality vet assistants, most responsible people are successful finding their first veterinary job without formal education. However, any veterinary assisting or vet tech classes you take will be a feather in your cap. Check the offerings of your local community colleges. The American Animal Hospital Association also offers an online veterinary assisting course.

Salary for a veterinary assistant varies tremendously by geographic region, individual hospital, and the employee's skill level. At the bottom end, salaries start at minimum wage and slightly higher. Hourly rates of $8 - 12 are fairly typical, although higher salaries are possible for experienced assistants who take on expanded responsibilities.

The next step up from being a veterinary assistant is to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. This requires completing a college program in Veterinary Technology at a school approved by the Veterinary Medical Board of the state in which you intend to work. Most programs are offered by community colleges and take about two years. After completing college, you must pass a licensing exam and register with the state's Veterinary Medical Board.

In order to maintain your RVT license, you will have to pay periodic renewal fees and may (depending on the individual state) be required to attend regular continuing education.

RVTs tend to be assigned the most advanced paraprofessional tasks within the veterinary hospital and often work with minimal supervision. Although salaries for RVTs are higher on average, the range overlaps with that for veterinary assistants. Some hospitals place a greater value on hiring RVTs and will pay more, while others pay RVTs and experienced vet assistants similar wages. An annual salary of $25,000 - $40,000 is typical.

Both assistants and RVTs can move into management positions with adequate experience and/or training. This allows an ambitious employee to break out of the relatively low salary ranges for assistants and RVTs.

The RVT license also opens doors to many positions outside of private practice, such as pharmaceutical sales, laboratory animal care, animal shelter work, teaching, and the military. Many of these positions are higher paid, some as much as $60,000 - $80,000 annually.

Working in a veterinary hospital is physically demanding, stressful, and relatively low paying. However, it's also exciting, emotionally rewarding, and mentally stimulating. It is not a field to get into "for the money" because there are easier ways to make higher wages elsewhere. However, for those who really have a passion for it, there is no other type of work that can compare.

I wish you the best of luck in whatever career path you choose to follow.

Here are a few helpful websites for information about working in Ohio or Colorado:

http://www.ohiorvt.org/faq.htm
http://www.cacvt.com/

Answer 2

Vet Tech Salary Ohio

Answer 3

Veterinarian Assistant Pay

Answer 4

Income Potential: The income potential varies with skill and time on the job, as well as the location of the facility. The average annual salary usually falls in the $20-$30,000 range.

Answer 5

20k/year. usually it costs more than that to become one too. used to be an admissions rep and enrolled people into our schools vet tech prog. Not very rewarding financially and you have to put cute little animals down. and clean up their poo.

Answer 6

2 dollars an hour after 10 years of experience.

Answer 7

$18,000 to $27,000 vet . tech. it takes 14 month

Answer 8

check www.salary.com