How to become an animal health technologist or veterinary technician
Official title: Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
Also called: Veterinary technician, Animal care technician, Veterinary technologist, Animal care technologist, Animal health technician, Animal health technologist, Laboratory animal technician, Laboratory animal technologist, Animal operating room attendant, Veterinary laboratory technician, Veterinary technician supervisor, Animal health technologist supervisor
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians provide technical support to veterinarians by caring for animals and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health disorders. They are employed in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, humane societies, zoos, animal research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies and government. Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Provide nursing care and rehabilitation therapy for animals
- Handle, restrain and care for animals undergoing treatment and surgery
- Produce radiographs, collect and analyse samples and perform other laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis of animal health problems
- Assist veterinarian with animals before, during and following surgery by preparing surgical equipment, administering and monitoring anaesthetics and cleaning up after surgery
- Prepare and administer medications and vaccines under direction of a veterinarian
- Administer treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian
- Provide wound and bandage care
- Conduct specialized procedures such as animal identification and hoof trimming
How to become one
Completion of a two- or three-year animal health/veterinary technology college program is required. Successful completion of a national registration examination may be required in some employment settings. Registration with provincial animal health technologists' or veterinary technicians' associations is available, and is mandatory in some provinces.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 62% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Veterinary/animal health technologies/technicians; Animal sciences; Biology, general.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $44,850 a year The middle half earn $37,050 to $52,650.
- About 25,800 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 32,100 are projected by 2033. (+24.4%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
Related jobs
- Opticians
- Licensed practical nurses
- Paramedical occupations
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
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Questions people ask
How do I become an animal health technologist or veterinary technician?
Completion of a two- or three-year animal health/veterinary technology college program is required. Successful completion of a national registration examination may be required in some employment settings. Registration with provincial animal health technologists' or veterinary technicians' associations is available, and is mandatory in some provinces.
How much does an animal health technologist or veterinary technician earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $44,850 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $37,050 to $52,650.
Is an animal health technologist or veterinary technician a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 24% by 2033, from about 25,800 to about 32,100 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an animal health technologist or veterinary technician?
Usually not. Only 19% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03