How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Missouri
Missouri employs approximately 2,040 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $43,520 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 Missouri, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Missouri
How do I become a veterinary technician in Missouri? Missouri requires credentials such as Veterinary Animal Technician, Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Veterinary Medical Board 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 Missouri? Yes. Missouri has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Veterinary Medical Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Missouri is $43,520 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,940 and experienced professionals can earn $49,260 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: Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Veterinary Medical Board
- Median wage (Missouri): $43,520 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Missouri
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Veterinary Medical Board oversees veterinary technician licensing in Missouri 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Animal Technician | Applicant may be issued a license to qualified applicants pending examination results, completion of veterinary candidacy program accredited by the AVMA, and applicant is working under the supervision… |
| Veterinarian | Applicants shall submit an application proving that he or she is a graduate of an accredited school of veterinary medicine, has completed a veterinary candidacy program after graduation, and has passe… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Missouri vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 1,000 | $44,860 | $44,530 | $34,880 | $50,970 |
| Kansas City | 880 | $46,260 | $46,920 | $38,030 | $58,360 |
| Columbia | 130 | $44,810 | $45,960 | $36,270 | $60,860 |
| Springfield | 130 | $38,530 | $40,640 | $30,000 | $47,180 |
| Jefferson City | 50 | $40,100 | $40,660 | $30,940 | $46,720 |
| Cape Girardeau | 40 | $40,160 | $40,090 | $30,850 | $46,480 |
| Joplin | 40 | $39,080 | $38,660 | $30,410 | $45,540 |
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 Missouri
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Missouri according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 1,000 | $44,860 |
| Kansas City | 880 | $46,260 |
| Columbia | 130 | $44,810 |
| Springfield | 130 | $38,530 |
| Jefferson City | 50 | $40,100 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 2,040 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 Missouri with an out-of-state license? Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Veterinary Medical Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Missouri.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Missouri is $43,520, which is $2,460 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Veterinary Medical Board - Licensing Information: http://pr.mo.gov/veterinarian.asp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |