# Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

US SOC code 29-2056. Markdown version of https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/29-2056

Also called: Veterinary technician, Vet tech, Veterinary technologist, LVT, Registered veterinary technician.

## In brief

In May 2025, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) counted **129,140** US veterinary technologists and technicians, with median pay of **$47,380** a year. Of the BLS counts since 2003, the highest was **131,320**, in May 2024, close to the May 2025 count. The earliest figure here is [an estimate](https://www.delhi.edu/academics/majors-programs/associates/veterinary-science/history.php) of **8** from 1963, not measured the same way as today's count. The last full technology era for veterinary technologists and technicians: Digital radiography + practice management software, 2004 to 2018.

## What the sources say

### Official outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 9.4% from 2025 to 2035. Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-2056&ioType=o).

### AI exposure studies

- **14.8%** of this job's tasks are exposed to large language models. Not a forecast of job losses. [Eloundou and others, 2023](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv)

Data as of BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025-35. BLS publishes these counts as yearly survey snapshots and cautions against reading them as a precise trend. In May 2021 BLS changed how it estimates these counts (a model-based method using three years of survey data) and moved fully to the 2018 occupation codes, so part of a change across 2021 can come from the method rather than the work.

## Veterinary Technologists and Technicians employment and pay by year

- On record since: 1926
- Latest US employment: 129,140 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [5]
- Latest US median pay: $47,380 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [10]
- Outlook: +9.4% by 2035. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 [27]

### In other countries

The latest figure each country's statistics agency publishes for this job. Each uses its own occupation definition, survey basis and currency, so the numbers are not directly comparable with each other or with the US figures.

- **Canada** (NOC 32104)
  - Employment, 2020: 21,220. Source: Statistics Canada Census 2021 [8]. Statistics Canada Census of Population 2021: number of persons with employment income in NOC 32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians, Canada, reference year 2020. A recipients basis (anyone with employment income during the year), slightly broader than a point-in-time employed count. Statistics Canada Open Licence.
  - Median pay, 2020: C$42,400. Source: Statistics Canada Census 2021 [16]. Statistics Canada Census of Population 2021 (Table 98-10-0586): median employment income for NOC 32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians, Canada, reference year 2020, full-year full-time workers (the basis comparable to the US OEWS full-time median). Statistics Canada Open Licence.

### All 29 years of cited US data

| Year | US employment | Annual pay (median unless marked) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1963 | 8 (estimate) | n/a | Est., SUNY Delhi [1] |
| 1973 | 3,500 (estimate) | n/a | Est., AVMA CVTEA [2] |
| 1990 | 33,000 (estimate) | n/a | Est., Clinicians Brief [3] |
| 1991 | n/a | $19,200 (estimate) | Est., Veterinary Practice News [9] |
| 1999 | n/a | $27,070 (estimate) | Est., Veterinary Practice News [9] |
| 2000 | 50,370 | n/a | BLS OEWS 2000 [4] |
| 2003 | 53,730 | $23,340 | BLS OEWS May 2003 [5] |
| 2004 | 58,570 | $24,940 | BLS OEWS May 2004 [5] |
| 2005 | 63,860 | $25,670 | BLS OEWS May 2005 [5] |
| 2006 | 69,700 | $26,780 | BLS OEWS May 2006 [5] |
| 2007 | 73,240 | $27,970 | BLS OEWS May 2007 [5] |
| 2008 | 78,920 | $28,900 | BLS OEWS May 2008 [5] |
| 2009 | 79,200 | $29,280 | BLS OEWS May 2009 [5] |
| 2010 | 79,870 | $29,710 | BLS OEWS May 2010 [5] |
| 2011 | 78,800 | $30,140 | BLS OEWS May 2011 [5] |
| 2012 | 83,350 | $30,290 | BLS OEWS May 2012 [5] |
| 2013 | 87,870 | $30,500 | BLS OEWS May 2013 [5] |
| 2014 | 93,300 | $31,070 | BLS OEWS May 2014 [5] |
| 2015 | 95,790 | $31,800 | BLS OEWS May 2015 [5] |
| 2016 | 99,390 | $32,490 | BLS OEWS May 2016 [5] |
| 2017 | 103,430 | $33,400 | BLS OEWS May 2017 [5] |
| 2018 | 106,680 | $34,420 | BLS OEWS May 2018 [5] |
| 2019 | 110,650 | $35,320 | BLS OEWS May 2019 [5] |
| 2020 | 109,490 | $36,260 | BLS OEWS May 2020 [5] |
| 2021 | 118,670 | $36,850 | BLS OEWS May 2021 [5] |
| 2022 | 118,750 | $38,240 | BLS OEWS May 2022 [5] |
| 2023 | 122,000 | $43,740 | BLS OEWS May 2023 (employment) [5]; BLS OEWS May 2023 (pay) [12] |
| 2024 | 131,320 | $45,980 | BLS OEWS May 2024 (employment) [5]; BLS OEWS 2024 (pay) [13] |
| 2025 | 129,140 | $47,380 | BLS OEWS May 2025 [5] |

## Sources (87)

### Employment series

1. [SUNY Delhi — History of the Veterinary Science Technology Program (first 8 graduates, 1963)](https://www.delhi.edu/academics/majors-programs/associates/veterinary-science/history.php), State University of New York at Delhi
2. [AVMA CVTEA — "Backbone of veterinary technology for 50 years" (accreditation history, first two programs 1973)](https://www.avma.org/news/backbone-veterinary-technology-50-years), American Veterinary Medical Association
3. [Clinicians Brief — "Evolution of Veterinary Technicians" (workforce expansion 2010-2024, trajectory context)](https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/evolution-veterinary-technician), Clinicians Brief
4. [BLS OES 2000 national estimates (flat file)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oes00nat.zip), Bureau of Labor Statistics
5. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2003](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm03nat.zip), [2004](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm04nat.zip), [2005](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm05nat.zip), [2006](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm06nat.zip), [2007](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm07nat.zip), [2008](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm08nat.zip), [2009](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm09nat.zip), [2010](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm10nat.zip), [2011](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm11nat.zip), [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2024](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)
6. [Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2006, Table 97-563-XCB2006069 (Wage and salary statistics by occupation, NOC-S 2006), income reference year 2005](https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/tbt/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&PID=96285), Statistics Canada
7. [Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2016, Table 98-400-X2016356 (Occupation by employment income statistics, NOC 2016), income reference year 2015](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/98-400-X2016356), Statistics Canada
8. [Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2021, Table 98-10-0586 (Employment income statistics by occupation unit group, NOC 2021), income reference year 2020](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810058601), Statistics Canada

### Wage series

9. [Veterinary Practice News — "Vet tech by the numbers: A look at the value of the profession through the decades" (NAVTA 1991 wage data: $19,200/yr)](https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-tech-value/), Veterinary Practice News / NAVTA
10. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2003](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm03nat.zip), [2004](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm04nat.zip), [2005](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm05nat.zip), [2006](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm06nat.zip), [2007](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm07nat.zip), [2008](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm08nat.zip), [2010](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm10nat.zip), [2011](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm11nat.zip), [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)
11. [BLS OEWS May 2009, national cross-industry estimates (flat file)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm09nat.zip), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
12. [BLS OEWS May 2023 — Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (29-2056) median annual wage $43,740](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes292056.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics
13. [BLS OOH — Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (2024 median annual wage: $45,980)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics
14. [Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2006, Table 97-563-XCB2006069 (Wage and salary statistics by occupation, NOC-S 2006), income reference year 2005](https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/tbt/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&PID=96285), Statistics Canada
15. [Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2016, Table 98-400-X2016356 (Occupation by employment income statistics, NOC 2016), income reference year 2015](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/98-400-X2016356), Statistics Canada
16. [Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2021, Table 98-10-0586 (Employment income statistics by occupation unit group, NOC 2021), income reference year 2020](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810058601), Statistics Canada

### Tool eras

17. [Today's Veterinary Nurse — "A Brief History Lesson in Veterinary Nursing/Technology" (1926 US Army Veterinary Corps veterinary technician role)](https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/personal-professional-development/a-brief-history-lesson-in-veterinary-nursing-technology/), Today's Veterinary Nurse
18. [AVMA — "The first veterinary technology program in the U.S." (SUNY Delhi 1961; curriculum formed around clinical instrumentation)](https://www.avma.org/news/gallery/first-veterinary-technology-program-us), American Veterinary Medical Association
19. [AVMA CVTEA — "Backbone of veterinary technology for 50 years" (first accreditation 1973, 47 programs by 1979)](https://www.avma.org/news/backbone-veterinary-technology-50-years), American Veterinary Medical Association
20. [FundingUniverse — IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. company history (VetTest analyzer 1988; SNAP diagnostics 1995; in-clinic diagnostic revolution)](https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/idexx-laboratories-inc-history/), FundingUniverse / IDEXX Laboratories
21. [NAVTA — Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS formed 1994; first academy 1996 emergency/critical care; anesthesia 1998)](https://navta.net/veterinary-technician-specialties/), National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
22. [Veterinary Practice News — "Digital Radiography Is Becoming Norm" (CR adoption history in veterinary practice)](https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/digital-radiography-is-becoming-norm/), Veterinary Practice News
23. [PubMed — "Transitioning to digital radiography" (PMID 21463440, veterinary DR adoption review)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21463440/), PubMed / Journal of Veterinary Education
24. [AVMA — "Building a Framework for Responsible AI in Veterinary Medicine" (2025): AI as decision support; vet techs operate AI-powered diagnostic equipment under DVM supervision](https://www.avma.org/news/building-framework-responsible-ai-veterinary-medicine), American Veterinary Medical Association
25. [Zoetis — Vetscan Imagyst AI Masses launch June 2025: in-clinic AI cytology classification (FNA, urine sediment, blood smear, fecal) operated by vet techs](https://news.zoetis.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2025/Zoetis-Launches-AI-Masses-the-New-AI-Powered-Cytologic-Capability-for-Vetscan-Imagyst-2025-YhrB1kjmLg/default.aspx), Zoetis
26. [VetSoftwareHub 2026 — "veterinary AI" search volume grew 1,680% YoY 2024-2025; ~15% of vet tech job postings now list AI tool proficiency as desired qualification](https://www.vetsoftwarehub.com/article/veterinary-ai-scribe-pricing-comparison-2026), VetSoftwareHub

### Forecasts and exposure studies

27. [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35, National Employment Matrix: 29-2056 Veterinary technologists and technicians (2025: 131.4 thousand; 2035: 143.8 thousand; +9.4%)](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-2056&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics
28. [Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), "GPTs are GPTs", occupation-level exposure data occ\_level.csv (O\*NET-SOC 29-2056.00, human-rated β 0.148)](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv), OpenAI

### Historical notes

29. [Today's Veterinary Nurse — "A Brief History Lesson in Veterinary Nursing/Technology" (1926 US Army Veterinary Corps)](https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/personal-professional-development/a-brief-history-lesson-in-veterinary-nursing-technology/), Today's Veterinary Nurse
30. [SUNY Delhi — History of the Veterinary Science Technology Program (first program 1961, first 8 graduates 1963, Dr. Walter Collins)](https://www.delhi.edu/academics/majors-programs/associates/veterinary-science/history.php), State University of New York at Delhi
31. [AVMA CVTEA — "Backbone of veterinary technology for 50 years" (Nebraska first state credential 1969, MSU symposium 1969)](https://www.avma.org/news/backbone-veterinary-technology-50-years), American Veterinary Medical Association
32. [Clinicians Brief — "Evolution of Veterinary Technicians" (NAVTA founding 1981, VTNE history)](https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/evolution-veterinary-technician), Clinicians Brief
33. [FundingUniverse — IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. history (VetTest Chemistry Analyzer introduced 1988, in-clinic diagnostics revolution)](https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/idexx-laboratories-inc-history/), FundingUniverse
34. [PMC / Frontiers in Veterinary Science — "Challenges Faced by U.S. Veterinary Technicians in the Workplace During COVID-19" (burnout, demand surge, staffing collapse)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8936168/), PMC / Frontiers in Veterinary Science
35. [NAVTA Annual Report 2025 — burnout as leading attrition driver; 68% cite administrative burden; AI tools are highest-priority retention wish (navta.net)](https://navta.net/), National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America

### Predecessors & successors

36. [Today's Veterinary Nurse — "A Brief History Lesson in Veterinary Nursing/Technology" (1926 Army Veterinary Corps)](https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/personal-professional-development/a-brief-history-lesson-in-veterinary-nursing-technology/), Today's Veterinary Nurse

### Present-day analysis

- [O\*NET 30.3 — Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (29-2056.00): tasks, work activities, technology skills, employment data](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2056.00), accessed 2026-05-24
- [BLS OOH — Veterinary Technologists and Technicians: 117,600 employed (2024); median annual wage $40,890 (May 2024); 17% projected growth 2024-2034 (much faster than average); ~17,500 annual openings](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm), accessed 2026-05-24
- [NAVTA Annual Report 2025 — burnout is leading attrition driver; 68% of vet techs cite administrative burden as top dissatisfier; AI documentation tools are highest-priority wish-list item for improving technician retention](https://navta.net/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [AVMA — Building a Framework for Responsible AI in Veterinary Medicine: AI as decision support; vet technicians operate AI-powered diagnostic equipment under DVM supervision; scope of practice varies by state (2025)](https://www.avma.org/news/building-framework-responsible-ai-veterinary-medicine), accessed 2026-05-24
- [VetSoftwareHub 2026 — "veterinary AI" search volume grew 1,680% YoY 2024-2025; ~15% of vet tech job postings now list AI tool proficiency as desired qualification](https://www.vetsoftwarehub.com/article/veterinary-ai-scribe-pricing-comparison-2026), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Eloundou et al. 2024 — GPTs are GPTs (Science): occupational LLM exposure framework](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Vetstoria — AI-powered online booking and scheduling optimization for 5,000+ veterinary practices globally; automates appointment slot management, waitlist management, and client reminder workflows (Vetstoria.com, accessed 2026-05-24)](https://www.vetstoria.com/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [ScribbleVet — generates client-friendly Care Cards and discharge instruction summaries from the clinical SOAP note; vet tech or DVM reviews and approves before sending to client (ScribbleVet.com, accessed 2026-05-24)](https://www.scribblevet.com/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [SignalPET 360° (launched Sept 2025) — 2,500+ clinics; 7,000+ clinicians; 63 critical pathologies; vet techs acquire images and upload for AI preliminary read before DVM review; 5-min Immediate Report (SignalPET.com; Business Wire Sept 2025)](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250902632641/en/SignalPET-Introduces-SignalPET-360-A-Comprehensive-Radiology-Platform-Designed-for-Modern-Veterinary-Practice), accessed 2026-05-24
- [ACVR/ECVDI Position Statement (JAVMA Apr 2025) — AI image analysis quality is dependent on input image quality; veterinarian must remain in the loop; vet tech image acquisition skill determines AI output reliability](https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/263/6/javma.25.01.0027.xml), accessed 2026-05-24

How to read these figures: https://futurehistory.earth/methodology. Every figure links to its own source; gaps stay gaps.