How to Become A Veterinary Technician in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 2,580 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,620 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 North Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in North Carolina
How do I become a veterinary technician in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Veterinary Technician Registration, Veterinary License, Temporary Veterinary License. The licensing authority is the NC 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 North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The NC Veterinary Medical Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: NC Veterinary Medical Board
- Median wage (North Carolina): $47,620 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC Veterinary Medical Board oversees veterinary technician licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technician Registration | Veterinary Technicians Assist Veterinarians In Diagnosis, Laboratory Analysis, Anesthesia, And Surgical Procedures. |
| Veterinary License | Veterinarians Diagnose, Treat, Or Correct Animal Diseases, Deformities, Or Injuries. They Prescribe And Administer Medications. |
| Temporary Veterinary License | 60-Day Temporary Permit: For a Non-Resident Veterinarian Another type of temporary permit is also available to a non-resident veterinarian validly licensed in another state, territory or district of t… |
| Professional Corporation Certificate of Registration (Veterinary) | Certificate of registration of a Veterinary Professional Corporation |
| Liquid Animal Waste Operation | Liquid Animal Waste Operations: Treatment And Disposal Of Liquid Animal Waste, No Discharges Are Allowed To Groundwater Or Surface Water General Permit - Liquid Animal Waste Operations: Applicants Are… |
| Veterinarian Privilege | Personal Privilege Issued To Persons Engaged In The Practice Of Diagnosing, Treating, Correcting, Relieving Or Preventing Animal Disease, Deformity, Injury. |
| Brands (Animal) | Any Person Desiring To Register A Brand Shall Make Application To The Commissioner Of Agriculture. |
| Animal Shelter Registration | Any facility which is used to house or contain animals, and which is owned, operated, or maintained by a duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, society for the prevention of cruelty… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
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 (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Veterinary technicians in North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary | 680 | $50,240 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 620 | $46,310 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 270 | $49,090 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 150 | $50,660 |
| Asheville | 140 | $46,990 |
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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 apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited 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.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Veterinary Medical Board - Licensing Information: http://www.ncvmb.org/professional.php?section=licensing ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |