How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Alabama
Alabama employs approximately 1,880 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $36,590 1. Nationally, veterinary technician employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,300 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a veterinary technician in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Alabama
How do I become a veterinary technician in Alabama? Alabama requires credentials such as Licensed Veterinarian Technician, Licensed Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medicine Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
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.
Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medicine Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Alabama is $36,590 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,590 and experienced professionals can earn $49,060 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medicine Examiners
- Median wage (Alabama): $36,590 per year 1
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Alabama
The Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medicine Examiners oversees veterinary technician licensing in Alabama 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Licensed Veterinarian Technician | To become a licensed veterinarian technician, the applicant must: be a graduate of an approved school offering Veterinary Technology Programs either accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Assoc… |
| Licensed Veterinarian | To become a licensed veterinarian, the applicant must: be a graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) approved school of veterinary medicine; and, take or have taken the National B… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Alabama vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 530 | $37,100 | $38,190 | $30,000 | $49,920 |
| Huntsville | 280 | $37,140 | $37,370 | $28,930 | $49,380 |
| Auburn-Opelika | 140 | $37,080 | $40,030 | $28,290 | $52,280 |
| Montgomery | 140 | $30,520 | $34,390 | $23,730 | $47,580 |
| Mobile | 130 | $37,590 | $36,440 | $29,470 | $47,920 |
| Decatur | 60 | $35,980 | $35,460 | $30,800 | $38,750 |
| Tuscaloosa | 60 | $37,270 | $37,860 | $29,200 | $51,860 |
| Columbus | 60 | $36,410 | $38,020 | $29,770 | $49,570 |
| Dothan | 50 | $30,210 | $32,240 | $25,490 | $36,430 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | 40 | $29,520 | $33,700 | $28,270 | $46,200 |
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.
Top Metros for Veterinary technicians in Alabama
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Alabama according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 530 | $37,100 |
| Huntsville | 280 | $37,140 |
| Auburn-Opelika | 140 | $37,080 |
| Montgomery | 140 | $30,520 |
| Mobile | 130 | $37,590 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 1,880 veterinary technicians 1. Nationally, veterinary technician employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a veterinary technician in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medicine Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alabama.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Alabama is $36,590, which is $9,390 below the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medicine Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.asbvme.alabama.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |