Vet technicians and vet assistants work alongside each other and veterinarians to help take care of animals and assist with examinations and treatments. Having a formal education and professional certification, vet techs are qualified to do more advanced clinical tasks than vet assistants who usually learn on the job. Both careers can be a good fit if you're interested in helping and caring for animals. Having a lower barrier to entry and part-time work options, a vet assistant position can be more appealing if you want to enter the field quickly and have a less strenuous work schedule. Your salary will generally be more as a vet tech than a vet assistant due to the difference in preparation. Show
Job DescriptionVet techs and vet assistants both help out veterinarians around the office. They can assist with procedures and help keep animals clean and fed. However, vet techs are qualified to perform more advanced clinical tasks to help diagnose and treat animals and take medical histories under a veterinarian's supervision, while vet assistants sometimes do clerical tasks like keeping the veterinary office and tools clean. Both of these careers require that you're empathetic and able to handle emotional situations you may face with animals and their owners. Working with distressed animals can be dangerous, so vet techs and assistants have to take precautions to avoid getting hurt. Physical strength is important to safely move and restrain animals. Education RequirementsThe education you need to become a vet tech differs significantly from a vet assistant. Vet techs need to complete a veterinary technology program that often leads to an associate or bachelor's degree, while vet assistants can learn on the job and need only a high school education. To become a vet tech, you often also need to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination to get state certified. You usually won't need certification for vet assistant jobs, but the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America offers an optional credential for vet assistants who have completed approved formal training. A vet tech's salary tends to be higher than a vet assistant's salary. In May 2017, vet techs made a median salary of $34,710, while vet assistants earned a lower median salary of $27,570; the top half of these veterinary professionals made more than these figures, while the bottom half earned less. Earnings for the lower 10 percent was less than $22,880 for vet techs and $19,110 for vet assistants. Salaries for the top 10 percent exceeded $49,350 for vet techs and $38,300 for vet assistants. IndustryThe majority of vet techs and vet assistants work in veterinary services, including animal hospitals and clinics. Fewer find positions at colleges, laboratories or social advocacy organizations. Both vet techs and assistants work alongside veterinarians, and it's common for vet assistants to assist vet techs with their duties as well. Since facilities often stay open around the clock, you may have to work irregular hours in either position. It's more common for vet assistants to work part-time hours than vet techs, making this option more flexible for families. Years of ExperienceSince vet techs need more education than vet assistants to get started in the field, vet techs tend to start out with slightly higher salaries and earn more with experience than vet assistants. This projection from April 2018 shows average salaries to give you a picture of how much vet techs make versus vet assistants based on experience:
Job Growth TrendFrom 2016 through 2026, both vet techs and vet assistants are expected to have similar job growth rates of 20 percent and 19 percent, respectively. This fast job growth is due to increases in pet ownership and pet expenses, and it's expected to add 20,400 vet tech and 16,300 vet assistant and laboratory animal caretaker jobs over the decade. You can expect good job prospects entering either of these veterinary careers; turnover helps lead to more vet assistant jobs, while vet techs can find jobs more easily due to the higher education required. How much does a Veterinary Assistant make in Phoenix, AZ Area?Updated Dec 13, 2021 Experience All years of Experience
Industry All industries
$36,649 / yrBase Pay $1,865 / yrAdditional Pay $27K$55K Most Likely Range Possible Range The estimated total pay for a Veterinary Assistant is $38,514 per year in the Phoenix, AZ Area area, with an average salary of $36,649 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is $1,865 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing. The "Most Likely Range" represents values that exist within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. How accurate does $38,514 look to you? Your input helps Glassdoor refine our pay estimates over time. Total Pay Trajectory For Assistant Veterinary Technician in Phoenix, AZ Area $40,542 /yr Assistant Veterinary Technician Download as data table Related Job TitlesFor Veterinary Assistant in Phoenix, AZ Area What are total pay estimates for a Veterinary Assistant at different companies in Phoenix, AZ Area?or Sort: Popular
Company Jobs Total Pay Range Is this salary info helpful?Let’s pay it forward! The Glassdoor community relies on people like you to share accurate salary info to promote fair compensation everywhere Download as data table Veterinary Assistant in Phoenix, AZ Area Salaries
Glassdoor Economist Pay OverviewWhat is the pay outlook for Healthcare? Healthcare jobs, already in high demand, are expected to grow extensively to meet the increased need from an aging population. Careers in this industry are diverse, though most require additional training and pay above-average wages. Despite fewer opportunities for remote work than other professions, healthcare jobs can be found nearly everywhere, including both rural and urban settings. While careers in healthcare offer high job security, they also often involve long hours, including evening and weekend shift work, particularly for those just starting their career. Recent Salaries SharedFor veterinary assistant in Phoenix, AZ Area Anonymously share your pay to help the community Total Pay Base Pay | Additional Pay Total Years of Experience Years at Recent Employer Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist 1-3 years 8 days ago $18 | $500 Submitted15 days ago 1-3 years 15 days ago
Certified Veterinary Assistant 4-6 years 15 days ago Veterinary Assistant pay FAQ in Phoenix, AZ AreaThe average salary for a Veterinary Assistant is $36,649 per year in Phoenix, AZ Area. Salaries estimates are based on 4972 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Veterinary Assistant employees in Phoenix, AZ Area. Your Resume is MissingUpload a resume now and make it easier to 'Apply on Mobile'. Where do veterinary assistants make the most money?The best-paid veterinarian assistants earn $36,690 a year. Those who work in states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine tend to earn the most.
How much do vet assistants make in AZ?The average Veterinary Assistant salary in Arizona is $31,794 as of August 29, 2022, but the range typically falls between $25,617 and $38,350.
How much do vet assistants make in Arizona per hour?Salaries by years of experience in Arizona. Is being a vet assistant worth it?Becoming a vet tech is certainly worth it for individuals who want to work with animals and outside of an office environment. To date, the career is experiencing tremendous growth, with about 10,000 new jobs hitting the market each year. The field also provides plenty of job security and room for growth.
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