How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 8,440 veterinary assistants earning a median $34,850 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most veterinary assistants train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Texas.
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Veterinary Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 2,350 | $36,040 | $37,810 | $26,590 | $48,140 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 2,140 | $35,370 | $36,500 | $28,100 | $46,620 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 950 | $36,010 | $36,710 | $24,680 | $46,620 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 780 | $35,530 | $37,030 | $27,290 | $47,540 |
| College Station-Bryan | 410 | $29,960 | $28,690 | $23,880 | $38,550 |
| El Paso | 150 | $28,140 | $29,670 | $22,250 | $37,470 |
| Amarillo | 100 | $30,210 | $33,020 | $28,590 | $43,740 |
| Corpus Christi | 100 | $33,650 | $33,950 | $23,420 | $45,620 |
| Killeen-Temple | 90 | $30,490 | $32,190 | $23,360 | $44,120 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 80 | $33,000 | $34,050 | $23,680 | $46,810 |
| Abilene | 60 | $29,710 | $31,040 | $23,300 | $45,420 |
| Longview | 60 | $30,320 | $31,910 | $23,330 | $42,560 |
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 2025.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Texas): $34,850 per year 1
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Assistant in Texas
How do I become a veterinary assistant in Texas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for veterinary assistants in Texas.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do veterinary assistants earn in Texas? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in Texas is $34,850 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $24,070 and experienced professionals can earn $46,890 or more 1.
Top Metros for Veterinary assistants in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary assistant employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 2,350 | $36,040 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 2,140 | $35,370 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 950 | $36,010 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 780 | $35,530 |
| College Station-Bryan | 410 | $29,960 |
How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to veterinary assistants in Texas before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary assistants in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 8,440 veterinary assistants 1. Nationally, veterinary assistant employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Texas.
How much do veterinary assistants earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in Texas is $34,850, which is $2,470 below 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) |