How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Louisiana
Louisiana employs approximately 2,220 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,530 1. The state’s concentration of veterinary technician jobs is 1.38x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Louisiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Louisiana
How do I become a veterinary technician in Louisiana? Louisiana requires credentials such as Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, Veterinarian (Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine). The licensing authority is the There is some indication that this license exists in Louisiana, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts. 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 Louisiana? Yes. Louisiana has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Louisiana is $35,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,490 and experienced professionals can earn $47,690 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: There is some indication that this license exists in Louisiana, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts
- Median wage (Louisiana): $35,530 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Louisiana
The There is some indication that this license exists in Louisiana, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts oversees veterinary technician licensing in Louisiana.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | |
| Veterinarian (Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine) | No person shall practice veterinary medicine in the state that is not a licensed veterinarian or the holder of a valid temporary permit issued by the Board. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 480 | $35,760 | $38,520 | $28,810 | $48,440 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | 480 | $35,660 | $37,440 | $29,780 | $46,830 |
| Lafayette | 180 | $34,800 | $34,620 | $29,200 | $45,980 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 180 | $35,200 | $35,300 | $24,670 | $46,540 |
| Lake Charles | 120 | $35,370 | $34,450 | $23,250 | $46,450 |
| Monroe | 100 | $32,360 | $32,740 | $22,320 | $44,640 |
| Hammond | 70 | $34,500 | $33,710 | $24,460 | $40,030 |
| Alexandria | 60 | $35,270 | $34,510 | $29,110 | $43,950 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | 50 | $34,700 | $35,310 | $29,520 | $49,510 |
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 Louisiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Louisiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 480 | $35,760 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | 480 | $35,660 |
| Lafayette | 180 | $34,800 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 180 | $35,200 |
| Lake Charles | 120 | $35,370 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 2,220 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 Louisiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the There is some indication that this license exists in Louisiana, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Louisiana.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Louisiana is $35,530, which is $10,450 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |