How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Iowa
Iowa employs approximately 1,220 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,560 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 Iowa, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Iowa
How do I become a veterinary technician in Iowa? Iowa requires credentials such as Veterinary Technician, Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship - Iowa Board of 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 Iowa? Yes. Iowa has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship - Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Iowa is $45,560 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,290 and experienced professionals can earn $63,860 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: Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship - Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine
- Median wage (Iowa): $45,560 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Iowa
The Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship - Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees veterinary technician licensing in Iowa 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technician | Veterinary technicians work under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian for any purpose except diagnosis, prescription, or surgery. |
| Veterinarian | Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of animals, determine the nature of disease or injury and treat animals surgically or medically. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | 270 | $50,730 | $55,980 | $39,860 | $78,600 |
| Omaha | 240 | $44,970 | $47,740 | $38,810 | $59,670 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 220 | $47,780 | $46,700 | $38,090 | $49,880 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 120 | $45,140 | $45,140 | $37,290 | $48,110 |
| Cedar Rapids | 110 | $44,650 | $45,310 | $37,010 | $48,070 |
| Iowa City | 50 | $47,720 | $47,930 | $37,360 | $64,940 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 50 | $45,210 | $44,220 | $36,630 | $47,590 |
| Sioux City | 40 | $41,130 | $42,160 | $36,600 | $47,410 |
| Dubuque | 30 | $41,070 | $41,620 | $36,600 | $47,860 |
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 Iowa
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Iowa according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Ames | 270 | $50,730 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 220 | $47,780 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 120 | $45,140 |
| Cedar Rapids | 110 | $44,650 |
| Iowa City | 50 | $47,720 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 1,220 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 Iowa with an out-of-state license? Contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship - Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Iowa.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Iowa is $45,560, which is $420 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship - Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine - Licensing Information: https://www.iowaagriculture.gov/animalIndustry/IowaVetBoard ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |