How long does veterinary technician training take in New York?

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

Do veterinary technicians need a license in New York?

Yes. New York requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technicians, administered by the NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in New York (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technicians earn in New York?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technicians in New York earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,010. Employment concentration in New York is roughly 0.66 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 New York?

New York currently employs approximately 5,350 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

New York veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $59,010 ($28.37/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 5,350 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 24.5% above the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $59,010 ($28.37/hr)
25th percentile: $50,410 per year
75th percentile: $66,310 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $78,760 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $47,640 per year
Workers employed in New York: 5,350
Versus national median: 24.5% above the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.66 - this occupation is less concentrated in New York than the national average

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

New York employs about 5,350 veterinary technicians earning a median $59,010 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 NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine.

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.

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
Licensing authority: NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (New York): $59,010 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in New York

How to become a Veterinary Technician in New York? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine. 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 NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine.

Do I need a license in New York? Yes. New York licenses veterinary technicians through NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine ⁴. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

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.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in New York

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in New York typically require a high school diploma or GED.
Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program. Enroll in an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program ⁵. 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 New York RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine. 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 New York

The NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine licenses veterinary technicians in New York ⁴. Most candidates complete an AVMA-accredited program ⁵ 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 New York RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

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 .

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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In New York

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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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
NYS Education Department - State Board for Veterinary Medicine - Licensing Information: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)