Readers Respond: Are vet tech salaries representative of the level of training & responsibility?

The subject of veterinary technician salaries is a hotly debated topic on this site. Is love of animals enough? Factoring in the cost of a formal vet tech education (versus on-the-job training), is this a career with adequate income for the level of training and responsibility?

You are invited to post your thoughts and experiences here. Think of this as your own mini-article.

Please note: questions or responses to others cannot be published. All entries are moderated prior to appearing live on the site.

DO NOT GO THIS ROUTE!!! READ THIS!!!

I went to school in San Diego, CA. I paid $24,000 for school, and I am making $8.50 an hour. Last year I made less than $9,000. Rent here, for a small 1 bedroom apartment, runs around 1100 per month. Not including utilities. I really wish I would have researched this before I paid all that money for school. Since I am STILL forced to live at home, I have decided to change career paths. I also do not like cats freaking out on my, and dogs trying to bite me. I have had to go to the ER due to a dog bite, not my fault either! You are always on your hands and knees, ALWAYS. I feel DISGUSTING after work, covered in dirt, grease from dogs fur, and covered in hair. I have acne and diarrhea from all the stress. I am constantly being watched for a mistake, and I am one of the best workers at my place of work. I will never be good enough for my manager. All in all, I AM ALWAYS BROKE. BROKE. BROKE. AND I HAVE NO LIFE! I WORK 10-11 HOUR DAYS 4-5 DAYS A WEEK!

—Guest Poor Gal

Living a Fantasy

I don't know if anyone else is finding this problem: I am an RVT in Missouri where there used to be only 1 accredited Vet Tech program. When I went to school, there were 3, now there are a lot more. By the time I graduated and became registered fully by taking the VTNE and my state's test, jobs are scarce. I can either work for a very small private practice and be their very first RVT instead of someone they trained off the street and make $8.50 an hour or keep calling and begging the specialty practices I really want to work at hoping something will open up. No one is leaving their positions right now and any job that is available gets about 500 resumes sent and there's always a tech that has more experience than me. I am a Mom who took time off to raise my son because I was married. Now I'm getting a divorce and questioning my career path because I can't make a living from a career as a Vet Tech. Jobs anywhere are scarce right now. Choose wisely. I wouldn't go to school now

—EllenNolan

School=nervous breakdowns

I'm in one of the best Vet Tech programs in Canada. It is hell-and I've seen everyone in my class cry at least once from stress. It is incredibly fast-paced and for what? 20/hr? The fact that people with out an education can make that honestly makes me sick inside. We do all a human nurse can do and on several different kinds of animals yet, we're paid half the salary they do. Why? WHY?

—Guest A Vet Tech Student

Working with animals is awesome.

I Just wanted to add that I don't want to disparage the profession, but there's nothing wrong with wanting more financial security. Good luck out there.

—Guest Just trying to help

Please read : ) I know it's long.

I just want to say, if you enjoy school, study something else. RNs have an awesome job and make a ton of money. Honestly, for those deciding between RN and RVT; I'd strongly suggest the RN. It's hard to make a living as a tech. It is possible though. Your best bet is becoming an RVT at a community college (lower cost) then work at a government shelter if you can or an emergency clinic. Jobs at county shelters are pretty scarce and the hours at an emergency clinic can be crazy but you will make more money. This is a great college job, there's almost always jobs out there and it's good for pre-vet students; but supporting a family or even yourself? Not so much. Again it is possible but it can be really tough. I worked with a head tech that had a family of four and he did pretty well ( his wife probably worked too). On the other hand I had coworkers who were living at home in their 30's. Not to be mean or anything, just keep your options open.

—Guest Just trying to help

We are hearing the same from vet student

We are hearing these same comments from vet students. Things are as difficult as I have ever seen them for everyone. I live very simply no cable bill, minimal Internet bill but it is tough.

—Guest Oldanimaldr

oh well

i know for a fact i did not go to school to get paid high amount, its not about the money. yes, you need money to survive but im in this for the love of animals and to make a difference that i try my best to do everyday. i wouldnt trade this job for the world.

—Guest lassy

I'm outta here....

The best job I had as a Vet Tech was working at a University but I left the job to marry my husband. Right now I am making less money and have no benefits, I work every weekend. I am so tired of non-licensed people who are working as "vet techs" saying that people who went to school and got a degree in veterinary technology and are state licensed do not know anymore then someone working in the profession. First off, no one is an expert when they graduate from their field that is ridiculous to even think that way. It takes years for anyone in their profession to get good at their job. And secondly I have meet plenty of non licensed people and they do not get certain things, and it makes me gasp at some things they do. And that is because they didn't go to school!!!!!!!

—mercedes911

Even at a higher pay it's not enough

Unfortunately it's extremely hard to make enough money as a veterinary technician. Pay greatly depends on where you work and at what type of clinic you work at. Contrary to popular belief, I've found that privately owned hospitals will pay more than large corps or emergency/referral hospitals. At private clinics, the owners have way more flexibility in how they dole out raises and such where at bigger hospitals it's very controlled. I started out nine years ago at $10/hr. I'm now certified and am head tech and make $28/hr. I recently worked at an emergency clinic and was paid $18/hr. Big difference. However the down side is I pay more for benefits, so even at $28/hr, which is substantially more that the average in this area (usually $15 - $20/hr), I still end up being very tight on finances. Certainly is difficult with school loans, rent, utilities, car, etc. And I don't indulge in internet or cable, and haven't gone shopping for myself in over a year!

—Guest Janie

maybe I would choose differently

I have been a RAHT in Emerg/crit care for over 14 years and am now thinking how the heck am I going to ever retire or support myself. Considering a career change at age 44 is scary. If you have another income naybe things are different. NO pension is scary

—Guest lm

Too long for Too little

I have been with the same practice since I was 18. Started with what I thougt would be stepping stone job in the kennel. Little did I know I would stay forever, over a decade now. I have been trained up to middle management now. Though I am quite happy with my job I am a single mom with 5 pets and can barely afford the vet bills to care for them. I am making over $15\hr which in my state is quite good for the field, we offer benefits but I can not afford them since we are a small business and our insurance runs high. I love working with animals but the pay is not nearly what we deserve, I have over 500 hours of continuing education in last 8 years, more than most human doctors are required and I can't even break $20\hr, I an clean teeth, assist surgery, I am a phlebotimist, I am the human resource and complaint department. I am admittedly the one who hold this place together. As vet techs we do it for the love of the job and the pets and the all together human animal bond.

—Guest Katy

uhhh...dang

so i just read through a whole ton of comments and it seems pretty shakey cuz right now im going to school for vet tech and im thinking am i even gonna be able to make enough to support a family in the future let alone me. but yeah im trying to find a job in a vet clinict as a recptionist just so i could get my foot in the door. hmmmm hopefully san francisco pays more than anywhere else

—Guest Mike

Drawing water from an empty well

People are less likely to spend large amounts of money on their pets, no matter how much they love them, than they do on their own health. Add to that the fact that medical insurance is required for most humans, but not for pets. I agree that Vet Tech's are paid too little. I would rather be a Vet Tech, or even a Lab Technician (who earns pretty much the same) but will probably become a registered nurse because the pay is better. I love the idea of all three so I'm lucky. Nursing involves the least amount of lab work which is what I would miss very much. Vet techs are valued, and often highly educated. They would be paid more if there was more money in the coffers with which to pay them. I used to think vets made lots of money but realise now that they don't. Sucks, but the laws of economics are pretty simple. You cannot draw water from an empty well.

—Guest Shona

Vet Tech Salaries Are Too Low

Veterinary technicians (licensed or not) who are dedicated, work hard (overworked typically), & especially those who have much experience, are absolutely underpaid. It's not really the fault of their bosses (veterinarians) because they are underpaid as well. I was not informed of this when I attended vet tech school.

—Guest Rattie

Scared

Im about to start a vet tech program with a collage near by. Im paying $45,000 for an assosiates degree. Im terrified that i am waisting my money. i plan on living alone and im not sure if i can support myself with a vet tech salary. Im so scared that im making a mistake :( I have had experience doing it so i know that i enjoy it but the low pay is making me nervous.

—Guest Saminilla