How long does veterinary technician training take in North Carolina?

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

Do veterinary technicians need a license in North Carolina?

Yes. North Carolina requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technicians, administered by the NC Veterinary Medical Board. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in North Carolina (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technicians earn in North Carolina?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technicians in North Carolina earned a median annual wage of approximately $47,620. Employment concentration in North Carolina is roughly 0.63 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 North Carolina?

North Carolina currently employs approximately 2,580 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

North Carolina veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $47,620 ($22.89/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,580 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 0.5% above the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $47,620 ($22.89/hr)
25th percentile: $38,520 per year
75th percentile: $55,020 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $59,420 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $35,890 per year
Workers employed in North Carolina: 2,580
Versus national median: 0.5% above the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.63 - this occupation is less concentrated in North Carolina than the national average

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

North Carolina employs about 2,580 veterinary technicians earning a median $47,620 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 NC Veterinary Medical Board.

Key Facts

Median wage (North Carolina): $47,620/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in North Carolina: 2,580 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.63x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 9.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Licensing/credentialing body: NC Veterinary Medical Board (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

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: NC Veterinary Medical Board
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (North Carolina): $47,620 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in North Carolina

How to become a Veterinary Technician in North Carolina? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through NC Veterinary Medical Board. 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 NC Veterinary Medical Board.

Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina licenses veterinary technicians through NC Veterinary Medical Board ⁴. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technicians earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in North Carolina is $47,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,890 and experienced professionals can earn $59,420 or more ¹.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in North Carolina

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in North Carolina 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 North Carolina RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through NC Veterinary Medical Board. 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 North Carolina

The NC Veterinary Medical Board licenses veterinary technicians in North Carolina 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 North Carolina RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Raleigh-Cary	680	$50,240	$49,630	$37,120	$59,820
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia	620	$46,310	$46,910	$36,200	$59,060
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk	470	$48,370	$50,470	$35,490	$63,090
Greensboro-High Point	270	$49,090	$49,240	$36,370	$62,690
Durham-Chapel Hill	150	$50,660	$56,460	$37,910	$81,470
Asheville	140	$46,990	$46,890	$35,940	$59,790
Wilmington	140	$47,620	$47,600	$36,270	$56,020
Winston-Salem	130	$47,050	$45,220	$35,790	$58,170
Fayetteville	80	$44,700	$45,310	$34,840	$56,860
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton	60	$45,070	$43,750	$35,410	$55,250
Greenville	50	$40,580	$41,500	$34,940	$49,130
Burlington	40	$42,640	$45,160	$35,610	$58,260

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 North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 2,580 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 North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Veterinary Medical Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Carolina.

How much do veterinary technicians earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in North Carolina is $47,620, which is $1,640 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data ¹.

In North Carolina

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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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Veterinary Medical Board - Licensing Information: http://www.ncvmb.org/professional.php?section=licensing ↩︎ ↩︎
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)