How long does veterinary technician training take in Alaska?

Most people become a Veterinary Technician in Alaska through an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Alaska (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technicians earn in Alaska?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technicians in Alaska earned a median annual wage of approximately $46,480. Employment concentration in Alaska is about 1.42 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: Do veterinary technicians need a license in Alaska?

Yes. Alaska requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technicians, administered by the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Veterinary Examiners. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Alaska?

Alaska currently employs approximately 380 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alaska veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $46,480 ($22.35/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 380 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -1.9% below the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $46,480 ($22.35/hr)
25th percentile: $37,630 per year
75th percentile: $60,510 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $75,820 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,010 per year
Workers employed in Alaska: 380
Versus national median: -1.9% below the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.42 - this occupation is more concentrated in Alaska than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Alaska employs about 380 veterinary technicians earning a median $46,480 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Veterinary Technician here means completing an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure, then applying through Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Veterinary Examiners.

Alaska employs approximately 380 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,480 ¹. The state’s concentration of veterinary technician jobs is 1.42x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Alaska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program (find programs)
Typical timeline: an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure
Licensing authority: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Veterinary Examiners
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (Alaska): $46,480 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Alaska

How to become a Veterinary Technician in Alaska? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Veterinary Examiners. See the VTNE ³ for the national exam.

How long does it take? Most people finish an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Veterinary Examiners.

Do I need a license in Alaska? Yes. Alaska licenses veterinary technicians through Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Veterinary Examiners ⁴. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technicians earn in Alaska? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Alaska is $46,480 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,010 and experienced professionals can earn $75,820 or more ¹.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Alaska

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Alaska typically require a high school diploma or GED.
Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program. Enroll in an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program ⁵. An associate degree is the common entry path; some students complete a bachelor’s. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Pass the VTNE. Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination. See the AAVSB VTNE ³ for current exam rules.
Apply for Alaska RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Veterinary Examiners. Some states add a jurisprudence exam. Confirm current fees and reciprocity before you practice. BLS groups veterinary technicians and technologists under one occupation; states license the credential, not that split.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Alaska

The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Veterinary Examiners licenses veterinary technicians in Alaska ⁴. Most candidates complete an AVMA-accredited program ⁵ and pass the VTNE ³.

Typical veterinary technician path

Finish high school or a GED.
Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.
Pass the VTNE.
Apply for Alaska RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

Hour totals, alternate routes, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Alaska veterinary medical board before you enroll.

Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Alaska vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Anchorage	270	$49,850	$58,840	$36,700	$75,820
La Crosse-Onalaska	60	$45,930	$46,270	$38,460	$55,470

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 technicians in Alaska? Alaska currently employs approximately 380 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 Alaska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Veterinary Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Alaska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Alaska.

How much do veterinary technicians earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Alaska is $46,480, which is $500 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data ¹.

In Alaska

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
AAVSB - Veterinary Technician National Examination: https://www.aavsb.org/vtne ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Veterinary Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofVeterinaryExaminers.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎
AVMA - Veterinary Technology Programs: https://www.avma.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)