Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians in a variety of animal care facilities. Their job responsibilities typically include assistance with dental care, examinations, surgical procedures, and the administration of anesthesia. Vet techs may also need to interact with pet owners, and perform laboratory or administrative functions.
Several schools in California offer veterinary technician training programs for students interested in pursuing a degree in the field. Here are five schools with vet tech programs:
The goal of most veterinary technician programs is to prepare students to work in veterinary practices, hospitals, clinics, zoos, farms, biomedical research facilities, or university laboratories. The programs typically provide students with training in laboratory techniques, surgical procedures, and general animal care. They may also offer opportunities for hands-on field experience through externships or clinical work in veterinary clinics or hospitals.
While enrolled in a vet tech program, students can expect to learn about:
Veterinary technician programs usually require two years of class work and field experience. To prepare for a vet tech program, students typically need to have taken introductory college-level courses in biology and chemistry.
To work as a veterinary technician in California, techs must be certified as a Registered Veterinary Technician by the state. A tech can be RVT certified by completing an accredited vet tech program and taking a board-approved state vet tech exam. Alternatively, techs may be certified in California if they hold an approved certification from another state.
Graduates of AVMA-accredited veterinary technician programs can choose to become certified by taking and passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination.
Listed below are metro areas ranked by the popularity of jobs for Vet Techs relative to the population of the city. Salary data was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
Metro Area | Jobs | Annual Median Salary |
---|---|---|
Chico | 60 | $35,410 |
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 2620 | $47,150 |
Redding | 100 | $35,070 |
San Diego-Carlsbad | 1430 | $45,520 |
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 540 | $49,380 |
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande | 100 | $40,800 |
Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 120 | $47,080 |
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade | 860 | $36,400 |
Salinas | 150 | $43,180 |
Napa | 30 | $36,720 |
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 310 | $41,080 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | 1080 | $46,670 |
Santa Rosa | 320 | $42,650 |
Fresno | 220 | $37,840 |
Modesto | 110 | $40,430 |
Vallejo-Fairfield | N/A | $41,410 |
Visalia-Porterville | 60 | $30,900 |
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 140 | $41,730 |
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 630 | $37,520 |
Stockton-Lodi | 180 | $40,450 |
Merced | 40 | $39,410 |
Bakersfield | 200 | $33,300 |
Sources: