How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Kansas
Kansas employs approximately 1,270 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,810 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 Kansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Kansas
How do I become a veterinary technician in Kansas? Kansas requires credentials such as Veterinary Technicians, Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners 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 Kansas? Yes. Kansas has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Kansas? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Kansas is $45,810 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,780 and experienced professionals can earn $58,250 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: Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners
- Median wage (Kansas): $45,810 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Both state and third-party exams required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Kansas
The Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners oversees veterinary technician licensing in Kansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technicians | Veterinary technicians perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. |
| Veterinarian | Veterinarians diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Both state and third-party exams required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Kansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 880 | $46,260 | $46,920 | $38,030 | $58,360 |
| Wichita | 220 | $44,640 | $44,430 | $38,050 | $50,710 |
| Manhattan | 200 | $51,610 | $52,950 | $40,570 | $67,300 |
| Topeka | 80 | $45,390 | $43,740 | $30,250 | $55,120 |
| Lawrence | 40 | $46,700 | $46,970 | $36,520 | $56,850 |
| Joplin | 40 | $39,080 | $38,660 | $30,410 | $45,540 |
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 Kansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Kansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita | 220 | $44,640 |
| Manhattan | 200 | $51,610 |
| Topeka | 80 | $45,390 |
| Lawrence | 40 | $46,700 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Kansas? Kansas currently employs approximately 1,270 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 Kansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Kansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Kansas.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Kansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Kansas is $45,810, which is $170 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners - Licensing Information: https://kbve.kansas.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |