How long does veterinary technician training take in Arizona?

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

Do veterinary technicians need a license in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technicians, administered by the Veterinary Medical Examining Board. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Arizona (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technicians earn in Arizona?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technicians in Arizona earned a median annual wage of approximately $46,300. Employment concentration in Arizona is about 1.48 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Arizona currently employs approximately 3,970 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

Arizona veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $46,300 ($22.26/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,970 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -2.3% below the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $46,300 ($22.26/hr)
25th percentile: $43,510 per year
75th percentile: $49,340 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $58,350 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,870 per year
Workers employed in Arizona: 3,970
Versus national median: -2.3% below the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.48 - this occupation is more concentrated in Arizona than the national average

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

Arizona employs about 3,970 veterinary technicians earning a median $46,300 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 Veterinary Medical Examining Board.

Arizona employs approximately 3,970 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,300 ¹. The state’s concentration of veterinary technician jobs is 1.48x 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 Arizona, 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: Veterinary Medical Examining Board
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (Arizona): $46,300 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Arizona

How to become a Veterinary Technician in Arizona? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Veterinary Medical Examining Board. 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 Veterinary Medical Examining Board.

Do I need a license in Arizona? Yes. Arizona licenses veterinary technicians through Veterinary Medical Examining Board ⁴. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technicians earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Arizona is $46,300 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,870 and experienced professionals can earn $58,350 or more ¹.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Arizona

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Arizona 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 Arizona RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Veterinary Medical Examining Board. 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 Arizona

The Veterinary Medical Examining Board licenses veterinary technicians in Arizona 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 Arizona RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler	2,760	$46,390	$48,510	$38,530	$58,940
Tucson	470	$44,260	$45,040	$37,040	$55,210
Flagstaff	100	$43,960	$45,520	$39,920	$58,550
Prescott Valley-Prescott	100	$44,330	$45,510	$36,290	$56,750
Lake Havasu City-Kingman	50	$44,980	$43,850	$37,650	$54,850
Sierra Vista-Douglas	30	$36,760	$41,510	$34,050	$52,600

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 Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 3,970 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 Arizona with an out-of-state license? Contact the Veterinary Medical Examining Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technicians earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Arizona is $46,300, which is $320 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data ¹.

In Arizona

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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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Veterinary Medical Examining Board - Licensing Information: https://vetboard.az.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)