How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Illinois
Illinois employs approximately 5,040 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,440 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 Illinois, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Illinois
How do I become a veterinary technician in Illinois? Illinois requires credentials such as CERTIFIED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN, VETERINARIAN ASSISTANT, VETERINARIAN - RACING. The licensing authority is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation 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 Illinois? Yes. Illinois has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Illinois is $46,440 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,580 and experienced professionals can earn $60,520 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: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Median wage (Illinois): $46,440 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees veterinary technician licensing in Illinois 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| CERTIFIED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN | An individual who, under the control and direction of a licensed veterinarian, assists a veterinarian in such functions as obtaining and recording information about animals; prepares animals, instrume… |
| VETERINARIAN ASSISTANT | An individual who is an assistant to the licensed state veterinarian and under the direct supervision of the veterinarian. Does not administer medications, pull blood, or perform any technical duties. |
| VETERINARIAN - RACING | A doctor of veterinary medicine who provides medical care for horses. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 3,250 | $47,820 | $51,810 | $39,060 | $62,670 |
| St. Louis | 1,000 | $44,860 | $44,530 | $34,880 | $50,970 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 260 | $53,110 | $53,180 | $41,900 | $64,460 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 120 | $45,140 | $45,140 | $37,290 | $48,110 |
| Peoria | 110 | $44,140 | $43,020 | $37,820 | $51,890 |
| Rockford | 100 | $46,760 | $49,730 | $37,840 | $59,730 |
| Bloomington | 60 | $46,940 | $46,270 | $37,080 | $58,730 |
| Springfield | 60 | $46,740 | $48,780 | $38,070 | $61,240 |
| Cape Girardeau | 40 | $40,160 | $40,090 | $30,850 | $46,480 |
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 Illinois
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 3,250 | $47,820 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 260 | $53,110 |
| Peoria | 110 | $44,140 |
| Rockford | 100 | $46,760 |
| Bloomington | 60 | $46,940 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 5,040 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 Illinois with an out-of-state license? Contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Illinois.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Illinois is $46,440, which is $460 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Licensing Information: https://www.idfpr.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |