How Can a Vet Tech Increase Their Earnings? Two Experts Weigh In

“We’re happy that technician wages are increasing. We certainly would like to see them increase faster. There’s a major disparity between what registered nurses and veterinary techs or nurses earn, yet their skill sets and knowledge are very similar. We’re optimistic that things will continue to improve, but want to see our techs get paid more.”

Andrew Findlaytor, DVM, Lead Veterinarian at Roo

Veterinary technicians (vet techs) are crucial in the veterinary healthcare team. They assist veterinarians in providing medical care to animals, performing diagnostic tests, administering medications, and monitoring patients’ vital signs. Vet techs also educate pet owners on proper pet care and nutrition. Their technical skills, knowledge of animal behavior, and compassionate nature make vet techs essential to the well-being of animals and their owners.

“I tell everybody, from students to veterinarians, to be nice to vet techs. They work hard, and they are the ones who know what’s going on in a clinic,” says Dr. Andrew Findlaytor, lead veterinarian at Roo, a veterinary relief work marketplace. Despite the critical role that veterinary technicians play in animal healthcare, their compensation often does not reflect their value. Many vet techs face the harsh reality of relatively low salaries compared to the responsibilities they shoulder and the education they have undertaken.

Wages for vet techs can vary widely. “It’s definitely better than what it used to be. The national average is about $21.00 an hour. It depends on the metro area where you work because if you’re working in a more condensed metro area like Chicago or San Francisco, you’re going to have a little bit of higher pay than what somebody is going to have in a rural community,” shares Marissa Beauvais, licensed veterinary technician and business development manager for Roo. “Also, your pay can depend on years of experience, specialization, and certifications.”

Increasing earnings as a veterinary technician often involves a combination of factors that can vary from individual to individual. “To start with, advocate for yourself and diversify your skill set,” advises Beauvais. Keep reading to learn more advice from Dr. Findlaytor and Beauvais on what vet techs can do to increase their earnings.

Meet the Experts: Andrew Findlaytor, DVM and Marissa Beauvais, RVT, LVT

Practical Advice for Boosting Earnings as a Vet Tech

Vet techs who want to increase their earnings need to take a multifaceted approach that includes advocating for themselves, diversifying their skill sets, negotiating salaries, completing educational programs, and earning certifications. “We’re happy that technician wages are increasing. We certainly would like to see them increase faster. There’s a major disparity between what registered nurses and veterinary techs or nurses earn, yet their skill sets and knowledge are very similar. We’re optimistic that things will continue to improve, but want to see our techs get paid more,” says Dr. Findlaytor.

One factor that may affect vet tech salaries is how they are used and perceived within clinics. “One thing I’ve noticed, at least in the last ten years, is tech utilization. Clinics are actually allowing them to do more things. For example, if they have a tech who is very good at anesthesia, they may put them on an anesthesia team. As tech utilization increases, the value will also go up,” notes Beauvais.

A key component is to keep a positive outlook while working towards higher earnings. “I’m pretty optimistic,” says Dr. Findlaytor. “It can be difficult to make strong wages in this field, but we’ve seen so much growth even in the past five years. I think much of that is due to technicians continuing to improve themselves and always fighting for better patient outcomes. So, I want to encourage my technicians that things are getting better. You’ve just got to keep at it.”

Here are the top things vet techs can do that can help increase their earnings:

Negotiate

When starting a new job or negotiating for a raise, vet techs need to know their worth and not be afraid to negotiate. They should understand the average salaries in their area and use that as a guideline for negotiations. “One of the big things that I’ve noticed is technicians, in general, just don’t ask. So, step one is to ask. Obviously, it has to be reasonable, so do your research,” advises Beauvais. “There is also a trend where practices will offer big signing bonuses, and you can negotiate down a signing bonus and maybe add $1.00 to your hourly, which can be a significant increase in earnings in the long run.”.

Complete an Educational Program

While there are some states where vet techs can start working with just on-the-job training, completing a formal education program can lead to higher wages. “Ten or 15 years ago, it really was about your experience and your skill set. Now, as laws are changing, there’s an increased emphasis on whether you have completed your education. We are now seeing a bigger pay differential occur there. You really need a degree or certificate to get that next pay level,” notes Dr. Findlaytor.

Earn Certification and Licensure

Certifications and licenses are important for vet techs because they demonstrate a commitment to professional development and a high level of skill and knowledge. They can also lead to higher earning potential, as employers often pay more for certified and licensed vet techs. The most common certification for vet techs is the Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) credential offered by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which requires vet techs to pass a comprehensive exam.

If you live in a state that doesn’t require licensure or certification, the rules can change anytime, so it is better to be ahead of the game rather than playing catch-up. “Minnesota just changed their rules and have created a path to licensure. Florida hasn’t quite gotten there yet, but it will one day. State by state, we’re seeing this trend continue. I tell every technician I talk to, “I know that you can be an amazing tech, but your earning potential in the future is likely to be higher if you go earn your national certification,” encourages Dr. Findlaytor.

Specialize

Vet techs have the option to specialize in certain areas, such as anesthesia or dentistry. This specialization can lead to higher salaries as it demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills. Additionally, diversifying skill sets can make vet techs more valuable and marketable to employers. “The highest paid technicians will be in those emergency and specialty hospitals because you have to have a niche knowledge base and a very expansive skill set to work there. There are also a lot of soft skills that go into working in those types of arrangements, just because they tend to be a little bit more high-stress,” notes Beauvais.

Work Swing, Nights, or Weekends

Working less desirable shifts, such as swing, nights, or weekends, may not be attractive to many vet techs. However, it can lead to higher earnings due to shift differentials and overtime pay.

In Beauvais’ experience, nights and swing shifts tend to have more pay differential than weekends, as some clinics may treat weekends as part of their regular schedule.

Be Willing to Learn

The veterinary industry is constantly evolving, and vet techs willing to learn and adapt to new technologies and techniques can increase their value to employers. “The technicians that I see continuing to do well are always evolving. There’s always something new coming out, and the technicians who love learning and are very adaptable tend to have fantastic careers. Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen huge growth in telemedicine, urgent care mobile clinics, and many other things. The technicians who walk away every day with an I-can-do-that attitude and learn new things have unlimited earning potential,” says Dr. Findlaytor.

Diversify Your Experience

Diversifying their experience can lead to increased earning potential. “It’s not just about the number of years you have worked. It’s really about your diversity of experience, too. If you have 15 years of experience in one practice, it will be very different than 15 years of experience in multiple aspects of the field. A vet tech with a variety of experience will be well rounded and have a diverse knowledge base,” says Beauvais. “Vet techs who use Roo, a vet relief platform, can diversify their skills. They can learn new things or work at a new clinic without feeling locked in.”

Develop Strong Soft Skills

In addition to technical skills, soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership are important for vet techs. “Work experience is critical because it gives you time to become proficient with your clinical skills. It also helps you become proficient with your soft skills,” notes Dr. Findlaytor. “Professionalism and communication are essential in every hospital. If a tech can communicate well with doctors and their peers and be a team player, that can go a long way in a clinic.”

Consider Non-Monetary Benefits

Increasing earnings can also be done by decreasing expenses. Some clinics will offer employee benefits that extend beyond salaries. “One thing that people often overlook is continuing education allotment. Employers will set aside money for conferences or online courses. Those are fantastic and are directly helpful to your current position,” says Beauvais. “Also, depending on the employer they may pay for your licensing, which can be anywhere from $50 up to $350.”

Pay time off is another critical benefit that doesn’t translate directly to pay but can contribute to job satisfaction. “Technicians should advocate for paid time off. As a whole industry, we should take way more vacations, so besides receiving paid time off, you need to take your time off, too,” says Dr. Findlaytor.

Network Well

Finally, networking is an essential skill for increasing earning potential. “Networking has led me to a lot of new spaces. It allows you to build a bigger community and teaches you new things,” encourages Beauvais.

For Dr. Findlaytor, networking has been a gateway to trying new things. “Networking helps you see different clinical perspectives, which helps you build your skill set. Every time I go somewhere new, I learn something new, which allows me to negotiate for higher pay in the future,” notes Dr. Findlaytor. Then, you have to communicate those things on your job applications. We can all draw blood. We can all place catheters. But what makes you special, unique, and different? Often, it is your reputation, and you build that through networking.”