For those who love animals and have a knack for soothing them, working as a veterinary assistant might be an appealing career. Most positions have no formal educational requirement, favoring applicants who've worked with animals previously or demonstrate an aptitude. Veterinary assisting is an entry-level position with relatively low pay among others within the industry, but for those who enjoy the work it can be rewarding in other ways.

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Where you live can play a large role in determining your income. California, Washington and the New England states all have high average pay, while South Dakota, Missouri and Utah offer much lower average ranges. Your work environment also plays a role.

While the great majority of veterinary assistants work in private veterinary practices and shelters, another career path lies with universities and other research-oriented institutions. The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science offers three levels of certification for those who wish to work with animals in this more lucrative area of practice.

Although caring for laboratory animals lacks some of the emotional fulfillment to be found in veterinary practice or animal shelters, the pay is decidedly better.

For veterinary assistants who enjoy their work and want to earn advancement, training as a veterinary technician or technologist is another career option.

They actively assist the veterinarian in providing care to animals, in much the same way nurses and diagnostic technicians support human doctors. Becoming a technician requires a two-year associate degree, while technologists earn a four-year bachelor's degree.

They can also choose to be certified by AALAS, just as laboratory animal caregivers are. Fred Decker is a trained chef and certified food-safety trainer. Decker wrote for the Saint John, New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, and has been published in Canada's Hospitality and Foodservice magazine.

He's held positions selling computers, insurance and mutual funds, and was educated at Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

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Skip to main content. Vet Assistant] Salary of a Vet Technician Vs. Vet Assistant 2 [Veterinarians] How Much Do Veterinarians Make Yearly? Geography and Industry Where you live can play a large role in determining your income.

Laboratory Work and Income Although caring for laboratory animals lacks some of the emotional fulfillment to be found in veterinary practice or animal shelters, the pay is decidedly better. Veterinary Technicians and Technologists For veterinary assistants who enjoy their work and want to earn advancement, training as a veterinary technician or technologist is another career option.

References 4 BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers BLS Occupational Employment Statistics: Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians BLS Occupational Employment Statistics: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians. About the Author Fred Decker is a trained chef and certified food-safety trainer.

Suggest an Article Correction. More Articles [Years] How Many Years of School Does It Take to Be a Vet? Also Viewed [Vet Assistants Make] What Kind of Salary Do Vet Assistants Make a Year?

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