Veterinarian technicians assist with technical support and animal care under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. When converted to the US dollar, salaries for vet techs are similar across the countries included in this guide. On the upper end of the earning scale is Australia where the vet tech salary is about AU$44,900 (US$35,871) per year. Canada is on the lower end, with C$35,000 (US$28,444) per year. Veterinary techs working in the UK take home about £24,500 (US$34,842) per year, while those in New Zealand earn around NZ$45,300 (US$33,339) yearly. Vet techs working in the United States earn $33,870 per year.
How Much Does a Vet Tech Make?
Annual salary and US dollar conversion for select countries are provided in this chart.
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Vet Tech Salary Determinant Factors
Earnings for vet techs depend upon geographic region, professional experience, training, and work setting. Global salary information from Payscale.com and additional information on a vet tech career are provided in the following sections.
1. How Much Does a Veterinarian Make by Country?
Vet Tech Salary in the US
Vet techs in the US earn about $31,800 per year. Starting salaries for new vet techs beginning their careers is just over $20,000, increasing to more than $48,000 with experience. Those with experience in emergency and trauma care, dentistry, and inventory management earn higher salaries. There are opportunities to increase income through bonus, profit sharing and commission incentives that reach about $6,500.
Salaries in New York, Boston, and Cincinnati are significantly higher than the national average. The vet tech salary in one of these cities is higher by 27%, 25%, and 21%, respectively. The lowest vet tech salaries are in Phoenix, where professionals earn 13% less than vet techs in the rest of the country, and Orlando with 20% less than the national average.
Vet Tech Salary in Canada
Vet techs in Canada earn between C$27,000 and just over C$47,000 per year, while the mean annual income is C$40,317. Bonus income can boost earnings an additional C$35,000. Incomes slowly and steadily increase during the first 10 to 20 years, but additional experience does not impact earnings significantly.
Vet Tech Salary in the UK
In the UK, vet techs earn an annual salary of around £24,500. Those beginning their careers can expect a starting salary of about £15,000 per year, increasing significantly to nearly £51,000 per year. With about 70% of UK’s vet techs having nine years’ experience or less, those with 10 years’ or more experience and additional training likely earn the highest incomes.
Vet Tech Salary in Australia
The average annual income for vet techs in Australia is about AU$44,900. Entry level vet techs earn nearly AU$31,000 per year, increasing to more than AU$75,000 per year with additional experience. It is not common for vet techs to receive healthcare benefits in Australia.
Vet Tech Salary in New Zealand
In New Zealand, vet techs earn about NZ$45,300 per year. New vet techs starting a career in veterinary medicine have a starting annual salary of around NZ$33,000, while experience and additional training can boost income to nearly NZ$70,000 per year. Average annual salaries in Christchurch are higher at NZ$62,500 compared to Wellington and other areas.
2. How Much Does a Vet Tech Make According to Experience?
In the UK, where annual salaries are on the lower end of the pay scale in comparison to other countries reviewed in this guide, additional experience has the potential to boost annual incomes for vet techs by nearly £36,000 per year, equating to an increase of 236%. The difference between entry-level incomes and those for experienced vet techs in the US is about $28,000 per year, or 139%, a similar increase as in Canada where earnings increase with about C$20,000 per year. In Australia, salaries increase with experience by nearly $46,000 per year, or 144%, and in New Zealand by NZ$38,000 per year, or 119%.
Global requirements to practice as a vet tech vary. However, most working in this field have advanced education or training. In the US, a vet tech must complete a two-year associate’s degree or graduate from a vet tech program that is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association. A credentialing exam is also necessary to fulfill registration or licensing requirements of the state of employment. In Australia, most vet techs have earned a Certificate III or IV, while some have only a Year 12 qualification. With varying requirements globally, it is important for the individual to fully understand the guidelines of the country in which he or she is choosing to work.
3. How Much Does a Vet Tech Make According to Work Environment?
Vet techs work in animal hospitals, private clinics, research laboratories, and government agencies. Overall salary is not influenced greatly by the work environment. However, the potential for bonus, profit sharing, and commission earnings may be greater in the private sector versus public sector. Those who continue their education and training to become a veterinary technologist are qualified to perform advanced diagnostic care under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian and earn higher incomes.
Recommended reads: Since you’re here, you might also want to check out the veterinary assistant salary in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. If you are interested in other vet-related jobs that pay more, you should also check out our guide to the veterinarian salary in English-speaking countries.
Working Hours
Vet techs employed in private clinics and government agencies typically work during normal business hours from Monday through Friday, with some evening, weekend, and holiday hours needed on occasion. Those who work in animal hospitals may be scheduled during any time or day as these settings provide 24-hour animal care and address emergency situations. While some vet techs work full-time, there are many part-time positions also available. Most f those who work in this field express a high level of job satisfaction in caring for sick and injured animals.
Bonuses and Benefits
Some employers offer bonus, profit sharing, and commission opportunities to increase overall earnings. These income incentives are more prevalent in the private sector like animal hospitals and clinics rather than the public sector government or educational settings. Many vet techs are hourly employees may work part-time, which is likely a reason why most in this career do not receive healthcare benefits. In fact, about 50% of vet techs in the US, UK and Canada state they do not receive any healthcare benefits.
Career Prospects
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates much faster than average growth in vet tech positions at 19% from 2014 to 2024. This growth is expected due to more veterinarians hiring vet techs to perform general animal care and lab work rather than lower skilled veterinary assistants.
Conclusion
Most vet techs indicate they enjoy their work and express a high level of job satisfaction. Future job outlook is very strong for vet techs as veterinarians are expected to continue a trend of hiring more skilled workers rather than vet assistants. Those who continue their education and training to become vet technologists have even higher earning potential. Some employers offer opportunities for bonus, profit sharing, and commission earnings. However, about 50% of vet techs in some countries receive no healthcare benefits.
Image source: Wikipedia.com
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