"How long does it take to become a veterinary technician in Mississippi?"

"Most paths into the veterinary technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do veterinary technicians need a license in Mississippi?"

"Yes. Mississippi requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technicians, administered by the MS Board of Veterinary Medicine. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for veterinary technicians in Mississippi?"

"In Mississippi, apprenticeships are typically registered through state apprenticeship agencies and trade union locals. See the apprenticeship section above for current contact information."

How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Mississippi

Q: "How much do veterinary technicians earn in Mississippi?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technicians in Mississippi earned a median annual wage of approximately $36,380. Employment concentration in Mississippi is roughly 0.67 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

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

"Mississippi currently employs approximately 650 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

Mississippi veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $36,380 ($17.49/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 650 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -23.2% below the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $36,380 ($17.49/hr)
25th percentile: $31,220 per year
75th percentile: $39,250 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $46,710 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $29,120 per year
Workers employed in Mississippi: 650
Versus national median: -23.2% below the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.67 - this occupation is less concentrated in Mississippi than the national average

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

Mississippi employs approximately 650 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $36,380 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 Mississippi, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Mississippi

How do I become a veterinary technician in Mississippi? Mississippi requires credentials such as Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the MS Board of Veterinary Medicine 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 Mississippi? Yes. Mississippi has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The MS Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do veterinary technicians earn in Mississippi? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Mississippi is $36,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,120 and experienced professionals can earn $46,710 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: MS Board of Veterinary Medicine
Median wage (Mississippi): $36,380 per year ¹
Exam requirement: Third-party exam required

Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Mississippi

The MS Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees veterinary technician licensing in Mississippi ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	73-39-63. (1) The practice of veterinary technology is a privilege granted by legislative authority to maintain public health, safety and welfare and to protect the public from being misled by unautho…
Veterinarian	Part 1701 Chapter 2: Licensure, Fees, Administration Staff, continuing Education and Examinations Rule 2.1 Schedule of fees for licensing and certification.

Additional Requirements

Background check: Felony convictions prohibited
Exam: Third-party exam required
Experience: No experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Mississippi vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	260	$39,710	$43,090	$33,640	$55,350
Jackson	150	$36,680	$37,820	$30,450	$48,550
Gulfport-Biloxi	70	$36,620	$36,460	$28,210	$43,800
Hattiesburg	50	$35,040	$34,880	$29,990	$39,090

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 Mississippi

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Mississippi according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Jackson	150	$36,680
Gulfport-Biloxi	70	$36,620
Hattiesburg	50	$35,040

Explore More Trades in Mississippi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Mississippi? Mississippi currently employs approximately 650 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 Mississippi with an out-of-state license? Contact the MS Board of Veterinary Medicine for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Mississippi? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Mississippi.

How much do veterinary technicians earn in Mississippi compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Mississippi is $36,380, which is $9,600 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
MS Board of Veterinary Medicine - Licensing Information: http://mississippivetboard.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)