How to Become A Veterinary Technician in New York
New York employs approximately 5,350 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,010 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 New York, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in New York
How to become a veterinary technician in New York? New York requires credentials such as Veterinary Technician, Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the NYS Education Department - State Board for 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 New York? Yes. New York has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in New York? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in New York is $59,010 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,640 and experienced professionals can earn $78,760 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: NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine
- Median wage (New York): $59,010 per year 1
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in New York
The NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine oversees veterinary technician licensing in New York 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technician | The practice of veterinary technology includes the performance of services within the field of veterinary medicine by a person (called a veterinary technician) who carries out medical orders prescribe… |
| Veterinarian | The practice of veterinary medicine includes the diagnosis and treatment (including prescriptions and surgery) of all animal disease. “Animal” includes every living creature except humans. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Experience: Open to applicants new to the trade
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in New York
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in New York
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in New York vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 4,850 | $59,680 | $61,500 | $46,560 | $78,500 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 440 | $58,750 | $59,190 | $47,410 | $75,300 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 400 | $50,100 | $53,800 | $46,880 | $60,870 |
| Rochester | 320 | $49,810 | $52,250 | $45,530 | $59,200 |
| Syracuse | 230 | $51,180 | $53,730 | $47,250 | $60,330 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | 220 | $54,730 | $56,320 | $47,330 | $63,410 |
| Ithaca | 80 | $56,420 | $55,550 | $44,990 | $59,380 |
| Utica-Rome | 80 | $50,440 | $51,990 | $45,760 | $58,190 |
| Binghamton | 60 | $49,000 | $49,870 | $40,470 | $58,280 |
| Kingston | 60 | $59,060 | $59,110 | $47,340 | $77,940 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum | 40 | $46,300 | $45,880 | $39,570 | $49,540 |
| Glens Falls | 30 | $51,450 | $54,080 | $47,190 | $61,490 |
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 .
Top Metros for Veterinary technicians in New York
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within New York according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 4,850 | $59,680 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 440 | $58,750 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 400 | $50,100 |
| Rochester | 320 | $49,810 |
| Syracuse | 230 | $51,180 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in New York? New York currently employs approximately 5,350 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 New York with an out-of-state license? Contact the NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New York.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in New York is $59,010, which is $13,030 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine - Licensing Information: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |