How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Minnesota
Minnesota employs approximately 3,560 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,270 1. The state’s concentration of veterinary technician jobs is 1.45x 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 Minnesota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Minnesota
How do I become a veterinary technician in Minnesota? Minnesota requires credentials such as Commercial Animal Waste Technician (CAWT) -Applicator/Site Manager/Company, Veterinarian, Animal Chiropractic Registration. The licensing authority is the Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Dairy and Food Inspection Division 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 Minnesota? Yes. Minnesota has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Dairy and Food Inspection Division oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Minnesota is $57,270 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,640 and experienced professionals can earn $65,120 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: Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Dairy and Food Inspection Division
- Median wage (Minnesota): $57,270 per year 1
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Dairy and Food Inspection Division oversees veterinary technician licensing in Minnesota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Commercial Animal Waste Technician (CAWT) -Applicator/Site Manager/Company | Minnesota law requires companies, site managers, and applicators that manage or apply manure for-hire to obtain Commercial Animal Waste Technician (CAWT) license from the Minnesota Department of Agric… |
| Veterinarian | Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine Review: Foreign Graduates New Graduates/First Veterinary License Applicants Previously Licensed in Another State or Canada Professional Firms U of M VMC Faculty… |
| Animal Chiropractic Registration | Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners (MBCE) Review: Animal Chiropractic Registration Requirements Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 148. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 2,520 | $59,090 | $58,140 | $48,510 | $66,620 |
| Fargo | 160 | $49,310 | $49,230 | $38,330 | $57,420 |
| Duluth | 140 | $48,270 | $48,990 | $37,440 | $57,830 |
| Rochester | 140 | $55,750 | $54,810 | $41,490 | $74,240 |
| St. Cloud | 100 | $47,390 | $47,900 | $36,160 | $57,000 |
| Sioux Falls | 100 | $46,490 | $44,880 | $37,080 | $49,590 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 60 | $45,930 | $46,270 | $38,460 | $55,470 |
| Mankato | 50 | $48,470 | $49,070 | $41,860 | $57,880 |
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 Minnesota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Minnesota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 2,520 | $59,090 |
| Duluth | 140 | $48,270 |
| Rochester | 140 | $55,750 |
| St. Cloud | 100 | $47,390 |
| Mankato | 50 | $48,470 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 3,560 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 Minnesota with an out-of-state license? Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Dairy and Food Inspection Division for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Minnesota.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Minnesota is $57,270, which is $11,290 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Dairy and Food Inspection Division - Licensing Information: http://www.mda.state.mn.us ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |