How long does veterinary technician training take in Massachusetts?

Most people become a Veterinary Technician in Massachusetts through an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Massachusetts (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technicians earn in Massachusetts?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technicians in Massachusetts earned a median annual wage of approximately $49,540. Employment concentration in Massachusetts is about 1.32 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts currently employs approximately 3,990 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Massachusetts veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $49,540 ($23.82/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,990 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 4.6% above the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $49,540 ($23.82/hr)
25th percentile: $47,670 per year
75th percentile: $60,240 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $64,470 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,500 per year
Workers employed in Massachusetts: 3,990
Versus national median: 4.6% above the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.32 - this occupation is more concentrated in Massachusetts than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Massachusetts employs about 3,990 veterinary technicians earning a median $49,540 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Veterinary Technician here means completing an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure, then applying through the Massachusetts veterinary medical board.

Key Facts

Median wage (Massachusetts): $49,540/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Massachusetts: 3,990 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.32x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 9.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

At a Glance

Training paths: AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program (find programs)
Typical timeline: an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (Massachusetts): $49,540 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Massachusetts

How to become a Veterinary Technician in Massachusetts? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through the Massachusetts veterinary medical board. See the VTNE ³ for the national exam.

How long does it take? Most people finish an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and the Massachusetts veterinary medical board.

Do I need a license in Massachusetts? Yes. Massachusetts licenses veterinary technicians through its veterinary medical board after an AVMA-accredited program and the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

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.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Massachusetts

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Massachusetts typically require a high school diploma or GED.
Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program. Enroll in an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program ⁴. An associate degree is the common entry path; some students complete a bachelor’s. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Pass the VTNE. Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination. See the AAVSB VTNE ³ for current exam rules.
Apply for Massachusetts RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through the Massachusetts veterinary medical board. Some states add a jurisprudence exam. Confirm current fees and reciprocity before you practice. BLS groups veterinary technicians and technologists under one occupation; states license the credential, not that split.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Massachusetts

Massachusetts licenses veterinary technicians through its veterinary medical board. Most candidates complete an AVMA-accredited program ⁴ and pass the VTNE ³.

Typical veterinary technician path

Finish high school or a GED.
Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.
Pass the VTNE.
Apply for Massachusetts RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

Hour totals, alternate routes, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Massachusetts veterinary medical board before you enroll.

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 ( 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 .

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.

What training programs are available in Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
AAVSB - Veterinary Technician National Examination: https://www.aavsb.org/vtne ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
AVMA - Veterinary Technology Programs: https://www.avma.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)