How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Michigan (2026)
Michigan employs about 4,420 veterinary assistants earning a median $37,960 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Veterinary Assistant here means completing on-the-job training or a short veterinary assisting certificate; optional NAVTA AVA. This is not the RVT/LVT license.
Michigan employs approximately 4,420 veterinary assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,960 1. The state’s concentration of veterinary assistant jobs is 1.23x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, veterinary assistant employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 22,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Veterinary Assistant in Michigan, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: on-the-job training or veterinary assisting certificate (find programs)
- Typical timeline: on-the-job training or a short veterinary assisting certificate; optional NAVTA AVA. This is not the RVT/LVT license
- Exam: optional NAVTA AVA
- Median wage (Michigan): $37,960 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Michigan
How to become a Veterinary Assistant in Michigan? Complete on-the-job training or a short veterinary assisting certificate; optional NAVTA AVA. This is not the RVT/LVT license. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish on-the-job training or a short veterinary assisting certificate; optional NAVTA AVA. This is not the RVT/LVT license. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Michigan? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect optional NAVTA AVA. See the licensing section below.
What do veterinary assistants earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in Michigan is $37,960 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,410 and experienced professionals can earn $46,730 or more 1.
How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Michigan
- Meet employer entry rules. Most assistants need a high school diploma or GED.
- Train on the job or complete a short certificate. Learn restraint, kennel, and clinic support. This is not an AVMA veterinary technology degree and not a registered apprenticeship.
- Optional NAVTA AVA. The Approved Veterinary Assistant exam can help hiring. It is not an RVT license.
- Do not apply for RVT as an assistant. Registered veterinary technician is a different credential (AVMA program + VTNE). Do not apply for the technician license as the assistant path.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Veterinary Assistant License Requirements in Michigan
Veterinary assistants are generally unlicensed. RVT/LVT and veterinarian licenses are different occupations.
Typical path
Train on the job or complete a short certificate.
Optional NAVTA AVA.
Do not apply for RVT as the assistant path.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Veterinary Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 1,470 | $38,830 | $39,940 | $30,810 | $47,210 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 590 | $38,970 | $40,930 | $34,870 | $46,610 |
| Ann Arbor | 250 | $38,350 | $40,260 | $35,660 | $47,050 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 220 | $36,650 | $39,870 | $29,550 | $49,200 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 210 | $38,120 | $38,340 | $30,980 | $45,460 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 140 | $36,240 | $36,290 | $29,200 | $44,140 |
| Flint | 140 | $37,370 | $38,340 | $30,250 | $45,470 |
| Traverse City | 110 | $38,130 | $39,670 | $32,340 | $46,290 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 70 | $35,880 | $34,820 | $29,900 | $40,020 |
| Saginaw | 70 | $36,170 | $36,080 | $28,880 | $42,970 |
| Battle Creek | 50 | $35,260 | $34,190 | $29,470 | $42,800 |
| Jackson | 50 | $36,800 | $36,700 | $30,450 | $43,900 |
| Midland | 50 | $38,740 | $44,500 | $35,050 | $45,180 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 50 | $35,930 | $35,710 | $29,860 | $43,630 |
| Bay City | 40 | $35,740 | $35,670 | $27,840 | $43,440 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary assistants in Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 4,420 veterinary assistants 1. Nationally, veterinary assistant employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Michigan.
How much do veterinary assistants earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in Michigan is $37,960, which is $640 above the national median of $37,320 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |