How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Colorado
Colorado employs approximately 3,720 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,650 1. The state’s concentration of veterinary technician jobs is 1.56x 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 Colorado, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Colorado
How do I become a veterinary technician in Colorado? Colorado requires credentials such as Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine 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 Colorado? Yes. Colorado has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Colorado is $49,650 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,820 and experienced professionals can earn $60,380 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: Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine
- Median wage (Colorado): $49,650 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Colorado
The Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine oversees veterinary technician licensing in Colorado 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian | The State Board of Veterinary Medicine regulates and licenses/registers veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the State of Colorado. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Colorado vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 1,780 | $56,580 | $54,670 | $45,990 | $60,200 |
| Colorado Springs | 500 | $46,630 | $48,960 | $35,940 | $58,230 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | 490 | $49,030 | $51,270 | $37,080 | $64,170 |
| Boulder | 300 | $51,350 | $52,990 | $37,640 | $61,040 |
| Greeley | 170 | $46,720 | $48,170 | $36,480 | $58,010 |
| Grand Junction | 90 | $46,060 | $47,130 | $36,260 | $56,780 |
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 Colorado
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Colorado according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 1,780 | $56,580 |
| Colorado Springs | 500 | $46,630 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | 490 | $49,030 |
| Boulder | 300 | $51,350 |
| Greeley | 170 | $46,720 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 3,720 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 Colorado with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Colorado? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Colorado.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Colorado is $49,650, which is $3,670 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine - Licensing Information: https://dpo.colorado.gov/Accountancy ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |