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Vet Tech

Career Overview

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.


Career Outlook


Projections 2022-2030

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. With a
15% Percent change.


2020 Employment

114,400

2030 Employment

131,500

What training is needed?

People starting in this career usually have:

  • Associate's degree
  • No work experience
  • No on-the-job training

Programs that can prepare you for this career are:
  • Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other
  • Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant

What does a typical day look like?

  • Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.
  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments.
  • Maintain medical facility records.
  • Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2055370
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.