How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Indiana
Indiana employs approximately 1,820 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,720 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 Indiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Indiana
How do I become a veterinary technician in Indiana? Indiana requires credentials such as Registered Veterinarian Technician, Veterinarian, CSR-Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Indiana? Yes. Indiana has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Indiana is $48,720 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,820 and experienced professionals can earn $59,490 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: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
- Median wage (Indiana): $48,720 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Both state and third-party exams required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Indiana
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners oversees veterinary technician licensing in Indiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Registered Veterinarian Technician | In order to obtain a veterinary technician’s license, candidates must: Be at least 18 years of age. Have successfully completed four years of high school education or its equivalent. |
| Veterinarian | In order to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine, candidates must: Have completed a program in veterinary medicine from an accredited college of veterinary sciences or medicine. |
| CSR-Veterinarian | IC 35-48-7-5.8 Sec. 5.8. As used in this chapter, “practitioner” means a physician, dentist, veterinarian, podiatrist, nurse practitioner, scientific investigator, pharmacist, hospital, or other insti… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Both state and third-party exams required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Indiana 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 |
| Cincinnati | 1,040 | $48,380 | $48,450 | $35,330 | $61,460 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 600 | $49,710 | $49,060 | $38,060 | $58,810 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 500 | $44,710 | $42,340 | $31,420 | $50,820 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 190 | $52,160 | $51,700 | $44,190 | $62,810 |
| Fort Wayne | 100 | $48,430 | $47,030 | $37,600 | $57,250 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 80 | $47,440 | $47,990 | $38,910 | $56,970 |
| Evansville | 70 | $48,220 | $46,180 | $33,640 | $58,630 |
| Bloomington | 40 | $45,190 | $45,970 | $39,140 | $57,590 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | 30 | $45,790 | $45,010 | $31,550 | $58,740 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 30 | $47,230 | $48,290 | $37,730 | $58,980 |
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 Indiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Indiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 600 | $49,710 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 190 | $52,160 |
| Fort Wayne | 100 | $48,430 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 80 | $47,440 |
| Evansville | 70 | $48,220 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 1,820 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 Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Indiana.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Indiana is $48,720, which is $2,740 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.in.gov/pla/boards.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |