How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Illinois (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Illinois employs about 5,040 veterinary technicians earning a median $46,440 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 Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Key Facts

  • Median wage (Illinois): $46,440/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Employed in Illinois: 5,040 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Location quotient: 0.99x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Projected growth: 9.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
  • Licensing/credentialing body: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

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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.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Illinois

How to become a Veterinary Technician in Illinois? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. 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 Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Do I need a license in Illinois? Yes. Illinois licenses veterinary technicians through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation 4. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

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.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Illinois

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Illinois typically require a high school diploma or GED.
  2. 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.
  3. Pass the VTNE. Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination. See the AAVSB VTNE 3 for current exam rules.
  4. Apply for Illinois RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. 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 Illinois

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation licenses veterinary technicians in Illinois 4. Most candidates complete an AVMA-accredited program 5 and pass the VTNE 3.

Typical veterinary technician path

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

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

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 ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Illinois vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin3,250$47,820$51,810$39,060$62,670
St. Louis1,000$44,860$44,530$34,880$50,970
Champaign-Urbana260$53,110$53,180$41,900$64,460
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island120$45,140$45,140$37,290$48,110
Peoria110$44,140$43,020$37,820$51,890
Rockford100$46,760$49,730$37,840$59,730
Bloomington60$46,940$46,270$37,080$58,730
Springfield60$46,740$48,780$38,070$61,240
Cape Girardeau40$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 .

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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In Illinois

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. AAVSB - Veterinary Technician National Examination: https://www.aavsb.org/vtne ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Licensing Information: https://www.idfpr.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  5. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)