How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Massachusetts
Massachusetts employs approximately 3,990 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,540 1. The state’s concentration of veterinary technician jobs is 1.32x 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 Massachusetts, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Massachusetts
How do I become a veterinary technician in Massachusetts? Massachusetts requires credentials such as VETERINARIAN. The licensing authority is the Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine - Division of Professional Licensure 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 3 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Massachusetts? Yes. Massachusetts has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine - Division of Professional Licensure oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Massachusetts? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Massachusetts is $49,540 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,500 and experienced professionals can earn $64,470 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: Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine - Division of Professional Licensure
- Median wage (Massachusetts): $49,540 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Massachusetts
The Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine - Division of Professional Licensure oversees veterinary technician licensing in Massachusetts 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| VETERINARIAN | Must have completed a minimum of 3 years of pre-medical education in an approved college. Must be a graduate of an AVMA (American Veterninary Medical Association) approved veterinary school. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 2,970 | $50,970 | $54,640 | $39,300 | $70,570 |
| Providence-Warwick | 730 | $46,160 | $49,650 | $37,550 | $63,590 |
| Worcester | 520 | $48,180 | $50,310 | $37,150 | $61,240 |
| Barnstable Town | 200 | $49,940 | $54,160 | $39,330 | $64,030 |
| Springfield | 200 | $47,770 | $48,740 | $37,170 | $60,130 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | 130 | $48,490 | $51,460 | $37,890 | $62,030 |
| Pittsfield | 70 | $46,330 | $48,390 | $37,010 | $59,800 |
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 Massachusetts
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Massachusetts according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 2,970 | $50,970 |
| Worcester | 520 | $48,180 |
| Barnstable Town | 200 | $49,940 |
| Springfield | 200 | $47,770 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | 130 | $48,490 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 3,990 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 Massachusetts with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine - Division of Professional Licensure for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Massachusetts.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Massachusetts is $49,540, which is $3,560 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine - Division of Professional Licensure - Licensing Information: http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/vt/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |