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The Evergreen State boasts a lush landscape for animal life, from the forests of Olympic National Park to the living rooms of Seattle’s loving pet owners.
One way to become involved in promoting animal well-being is to become a veterinary technician. Interestingly, Washington has several laws regarding the scope of practice in this profession. In its regional chart, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA 2024) defines a vet tech in WA as a person who has received a degree in animal health technology from an AVMA-accredited program and has received licensure to practice in the state.
Vet techs in WA must be supervised by a licensed veterinarian while providing surgical assistance. They must also be supervised while administering vaccines, euthanasia, or anesthesia; undertaking dental procedures; doing basic first aid; performing catheterizations; or giving blood transfusions.
WA veterinary technicians also perform several duties under indirect supervision, such as giving medication; performing diagnostic imaging; preparing tissue samples; collecting urine or blood samples; managing the handling of hazardous wastes; and doing basic laboratory tests. Finally, when a licensed vet may not be present in emergency conditions, veterinary technicians may perform several duties with indirect supervision such as applying tourniquets, bandages, or temporary splints; and resuscitating animal patients.
In addition, vet techs in WA can also expect to maintain veterinary medical records; restrain animals during common procedures; manage animal clinic offices and drug inventories; monitor the health status of animal patients; educate animal owners on proper care; and keep examination and surgical rooms sterile.
Finally, some professional organizations could be of interest to veterinary technicians in Washington. In addition to national groups such as the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America (NAVTA), the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians can help animal healthcare workers find a sense of community. This organization, established in 1975, offers continuing education opportunities, job postings, a monthly newsletter, mentorships, and scholarships.
So how does a current or aspiring vet tech join this high-growth profession in Washington? Read below to learn how to become a veterinary technician in WA, the employment demand across the state, and what to expect from accredited college programs and the process of professional licensure.
AVMA Accredited Vet Tech Schools in Washington
| School Website | main address | online program | Avma Accredited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham Technical College | 3028 Lindbergh Ave, Bellingham, Washington, 98225 | No | Yes |
| Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom | 9401 Farwest Dr SW, Lakewood, Washington, 98498 | No | Yes |
| Pima Medical Institute-Renton | 555 S. Renton Village Place, Suite 110 Renton, Washington, 98057 | No | Yes |
| Pima Medical Institute-Seattle | 9709 Third Ave NE Suite 400, Seattle, Washington, 98115 | No | Yes |
| Yakima Valley Community College | South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, Washington, 98907-2520 | No | Yes |
Strong Demand for Vet Techs in Washington
Without any doubt, Washington is a hot state for vet tech job openings. By illustration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) projected that opportunities nationwide for vet techs will increase 19 percent between 2023 and 2033. This figure is much higher than the average growth anticipated across all occupations during that period (4 percent).
In WA, these prospects look even more bright. According to the most recent data from CareerOneStop (2024), the occupational increase for vet tech openings in Washington is predicted to be 25 percent between 2020 and 2030.
Where Do Vet Techs in WA Work?
Washington’s vet techs are employed in a range of facilities such as specialty animal clinics, veterinary hospitals, kennels, research organizations, farms, labs, public policy groups, zoos, pharmaceutical companies, state and federal regulatory agencies, universities, aquariums, and food inspection groups. Some WA veterinary technicians work regular business hours whereas others may be called upon to work evenings, weekends, or holidays to monitor the health of their animal patients.
If the traditional job-seeking websites are any indication, there should be plenty of opportunities in this field in the coming years. By illustration, Indeed (October 2024) posted job openings for vet techs at places such as Brookside Veterinary Hospital, MedVet, Animal Emergency Hospital of Redmond, and Greywolf Veterinary Hospital. Monster (October 2024) had additional postings in WA at Banfield Pet Hospital, Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle, Ethos Veterinary Health, and Pet Care Clinic.
One way in which a WA veterinary technician can stand out from the crowd of job applicants is by becoming a veterinary technician specialist (VTS). The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) recognizes many subfields of veterinary technology, including equine science, dermatology, laboratory animals, dentistry, clinical pathology, zoological medicine, and anesthesia.
To learn in-depth about how to become a VTS, please check out the veterinary technician careers page.
Vet Tech Salary in Washington
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023) reports that Washington currently employs 2,570 vet techs in veterinary clinics, animal shelters, colleges, scientific research facilities, and other environments. Among the 122,000 vet techs employed nationwide, BLS found an average annual salary of $44,040. Vet techs in Washington earned an annual average salary of $54,460.
The table below compares national and state salaries of veterinary technicians.
| United States | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Veterinary Technicians Employed | 122,000 | 2,570 |
| Annual mean wage | $44,040 | $54,460 |
| 10th percentile | $30,180 | $43,410 |
| 25th percentile | $36,340 | $47,390 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,740 | $54,640 |
| 75th percentile | $48,900 | $60,750 |
| 90th percentile | $59,310 | $64,430 |
It’s important to note that these figures also varied based on the source of data. For illustration, Indeed (October 2024) found an average annual salary of $49,739 among Washington veterinary technicians.
PayScale (October 2024)—a data aggregator of self-reported salaries – found the following percentiles nationally:
- 10th percentile: $30,000
- 50th percentile (median): $41,027
- 90th percentile: $58,000
It is important to note that while the wages in Washington are higher than national wages, so too is the cost of living. For illustration, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) reported that WA is the seventh most expensive state in the country, particularly for housing. A high cost of living means that even higher than average salaries will not go as far as they would in other states, so prospective vet techs should keep that in mind while evaluating the state’s salary data.
How to Become a Vet Tech in Washington State
To practice as a veterinary technician in WA, a person must have a license through the Washington State Department of Health. Here is one common path to joining this profession:
- Graduate from high school. In addition to a love of animals and empathy, vet techs typically have strong backgrounds in science with high marks in classes such as biology, physiology (if offered), and chemistry. Due to the hands-on lab work involved in many vet tech positions, students must be comfortable handling sensitive scientific instruments, conducting tests, and interpreting results. Some people at this stage may find it useful to volunteer in animal clinics, shelters, or other facilities handling furry, feathered, or scaly-skinned patients for gaining experience.
- Complete an AVMA-accredited associate’s or bachelor’s degree program (two to four years). To qualify for licensure in Washington, students must graduate from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). There are currently five programs accredited in this state, all offering associate degrees with courses such as animal diseases, surgical nursing, and radiology. As the profession grows, however, some students may find the increased depth and scope of a bachelor’s program to give them an edge among employers or as a jumping-off point to specialize in an area such as dentistry, anesthesia, or exotic animals.
- Take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). This test, offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), is a typical requirement for licensure, certification, or registration as a vet tech in most U.S. states.
- Secure licensure through the Washington State Department of Health. To become a vet tech in WA, a person must have completed an application with proof of graduation from an AVMA-accredited program, successful VTNE scores, AIDS training, and an open-book state examination with a score of at least 90 percent. These licenses are valid for one year.
- Renew license with the Washington State Department of Health (annually). This process involves an application and the completion of 20 hours of continued education (CE) every two years. Online courses, such as those completed through a system such as MedVet teams, “are not subject to an hour limitation,” but must meet specific criteria to qualify.
AVMA-Accredited Veterinary Technician Programs in Washington (WA)
To qualify for practice as a vet tech in Washington, a person must be a graduate of a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Aspiring vet techs in WA can no longer pursue licensure based on their experience, but rather must graduate from an approved program.
Also, according to CareerOneStop (2024)—an organization sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor— 33 percent of working vet techs have earned an associate’s degree, while 22 percent had bachelor’s degrees. Luckily, there are five AVMA-accredited associate degree programs in veterinary technology in Washington:
Bellingham Technical College, located in the picturesque northwest corner of the state, has full accreditation from the AVMA for its associate of applied science (AAS) program. The college also offers a veterinary assistant certificate program. These programs provide students with hands-on training and high-quality education, helping them gain the valuable knowledge and skills needed by surgery centers, veterinary hospitals, zoos, wildlife facilities, and specialty care providers.
The AAS-T program consists of 157 credits, while the certificate requires the completion of 66 credits. Courses include veterinary nursing, medical dosages and calculations, veterinary anatomy and physiology, veterinary nutrition, laboratory sciences, and medical terminology.
Students complete several labs and mentorship lab courses. Bellingham graduates had a Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) first-time pass rate of 79 percent between 2020 and 2023.
- Location: Bellingham, WA
- Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Expected Time to Completion: AAS-T (24 months); certificate (within a year)
Pierce College (Fort Steilacoom) of Lakewood—just outside of Tacoma—has enjoyed an astounding track record among its graduates on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). Between 2020 and 2023, 94 percent of graduates passed the test on their first attempt.
This associate degree in vet technology program typically takes 21 months to complete, with coursework in animal nursing; medical dosage for vet techs; applied behavior techniques; large animal nursing; clinical microbiology and public health; animal hospital office procedures; hematology for vet techs; and more. The program begins in September and continues through June, with a summer break in July and August. In addition, students complete 14 credits of veterinary clinical practice for a total of 93 credits. The program consists of 121-123 credits including prerequisites.
- Location: Lakewood, WA
- Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Pima Medical Institute offers two accredited associate of applied science (AAS) degree programs in veterinary technology: one based in Seattle and the other in nearby Renton. Both programs take 18 months to complete.
With a mix of online and in-classroom experiences, students learn about the care of smaller animals and skills pertaining to the needs of equine, exotic, and livestock patients. Courses include laboratory animal science, small animal nursing for veterinary technicians, food and fiber animals, anatomy and physiology for vet techs, dentistry techniques, exotic animal medicine and nursing, emergency procedures, and more. Students also complete an externship for a program total of 77.5 credits. Some courses are offered online, hybrid, or fully on-campus.
Pima offers its program across seven states, including these two accredited Washington locations. The VTNE first-time pass rate for graduates of the Renton Campus was an impressive 85.7 percent between 2021 and 2024. For that same period, Seattle graduates achieved a 92 percent pass rate.
- Location: Renton and Seattle, WA
- Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 months
Yakima Valley College, in the heart of Washington state, offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology, imparting the range of skills necessary for the profession, including animal dentistry, inventory control, medical record-keeping, surgical assisting, veterinary ethics, and other cornerstones of the field. Facilities for the vet tech program include small animal wards for birds, rodents, dogs, and cats. Work with large animals takes place at local farms.
The program, which consists of 107 credits, includes courses in animal anatomy and physiology, veterinary medical dosages, safety and OSHA, small animal nutrition, surgical nursing, livestock and equine medicine, radiology, and more. Labs and clinical experience offer hands-on skills and practice for vet tech students.
Yakima Valley vet tech graduates boasted a 96 percent first-time pass rate on the VTNE (2019 to 2022).
- Location: Yakima, WA
- Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
For information on distance-based education programs, visit our online vet tech programs page.
Accreditation and Certification for Vet Techs in Washington
Before practicing as a vet tech in Washington, it’s imperative to graduate from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). There are over 220 programs approved across the country, including the five profiled in Washington. The AVMA weighs criteria such as admissions processes, comprehensiveness of curriculum, and student outcomes to gauge program effectiveness.
As mentioned above, professional experience no longer qualifies a candidate for licensure in WA. These days, prospective vet techs must complete an application to the Washington Department of Health which includes:
- Sending transcripts (proof of graduation from an AVMA-accredited program)
- Passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
- Passing the Washington State Jurisprudence Exam (open-book and taken at home)
- Completing four hours of AIDS/HIV training
Finally, these licenses must be renewed yearly on (or before) a candidate’s birthday. Additionally, vet techs in Washington must complete 20 hours of continued education (CE) every two years. Online courses, such as those completed through a system such as MedVet teams, “are not subject to an hour limitation” but must meet specific criteria to qualify.
