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Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Washington

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Washington

Want to work as a Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Washington? Below are the key facts. 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.

What do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Make in Washington?

The veterinary technologists and technicians working in Washington, wages run about $59,080 per year (or roughly $28.41/hour).Earnings range from $47,050 at the 10th percentile to $74,520 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $47,050 $22.62
25th percentile $50,370 $24.22
Median (50th) $59,080 $28.41
75th percentile $63,980 $30.76
90th percentile $74,520 $35.83
Salary ranges for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Washington

The job concentration index in Washington compared to the national average — is 0.75, meaning fewer veterinary technologists and technicians per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median of $47,148 per year ($22.67/hour), above the Washington median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 1,946,495 veterinary technologists and technicians nationwide. In Washington alone, about 2,250 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,780 veterinary technologists and technicians.

Forecasted number of jobs for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Top Washington Metros for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

The largest metro-area employers of veterinary technologists and technicians in Washington.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 1,190 $60,430
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 140 $54,100
Yakima, WA 110 $58,230
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA 100 $57,980
Bellingham, WA 80 $59,240
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA 70 $50,530
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA 60 $64,750
Kennewick-Richland, WA 50 $57,980

Top States for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Employment

These states have the highest employment of veterinary technologists and technicians work.

State Number Employed
Texas 16,170
California 11,380
Florida 10,130
Pennsylvania 5,840
New York 5,480
Illinois 4,840
Ohio 4,720
Minnesota 4,320
Colorado 3,990
Massachusetts 3,900
North Carolina 3,650
New Jersey 3,500
Arizona 3,390
Georgia 3,280
Maryland 3,090
Michigan 2,880
Wisconsin 2,860
Virginia 2,800
Indiana 2,340
Tennessee 2,270

Highest-Paying States for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

These states pay the most for veterinary technologists and technicians.

State Annual Median Salary
Washington $59,080
New York $58,830
District of Columbia $55,900
Virginia $55,790
California $55,080
Minnesota $49,480
Maine $49,460
Oregon $48,950
Connecticut $48,880
New Jersey $48,630

Skills

Key veterinary technologists and technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Active Listening  3.8 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.8 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.6 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  3.6 / 5
0
5
Monitoring  3.2 / 5
0
5
Writing  3.2 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Medicine and Dentistry  4.1 / 5
0
5
Customer and Personal Service  4.1 / 5
0
5
Biology  4.0 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.0 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.5 / 5
0
5
Chemistry  3.3 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Key abilities for veterinary technologists and technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Deductive Reasoning  3.9 / 5
0
5
Near Vision  3.9 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  3.9 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  3.9 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  3.8 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  3.8 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
  • Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
  • Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
  • Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
  • Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
  • Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
  • Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
  • Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
  • Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
  • Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
  • Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.
  • Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.

Work Activities

  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Getting Information
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Handling and Moving Objects

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access

Other careers like veterinary technologists and technicians include:

Also Known As

Animal Care Technician (Animal Care Tech), Animal Health Technician (Animal Health Tech), Animal Technician (Animal Tech), Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Emergency Veterinary Technician (Emergency Vet Tech), Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician (Internal Medicine Vet Tech), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Swine Technician (Swine Tech), Veterinarian Lab Technician (Veterinary Lab Tech), Veterinarian Technician (Vet Tech), Veterinary Assistant (Vet Assistant), Veterinary Laboratory Technician (Vet Lab Tech), Veterinary Nurse (Vet Nurse), Veterinary Surgery Technician (Vet Surgery Tech).

References

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