How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Ohio
Ohio employs approximately 4,790 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,990 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 Ohio, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Ohio
How do I become a veterinary technician in Ohio? Ohio requires credentials such as Registered Veterinary Technician, Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing 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 Ohio? Yes. Ohio has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Ohio? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Ohio is $47,990 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,760 and experienced professionals can earn $61,360 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: Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board
- Median wage (Ohio): $47,990 per year 1
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Ohio
The Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board oversees veterinary technician licensing in Ohio 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Registered Veterinary Technician | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
| Veterinarian | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Ohio vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 1,050 | $49,260 | $50,300 | $35,310 | $64,300 |
| Cincinnati | 1,040 | $48,380 | $48,450 | $35,330 | $61,460 |
| Cleveland | 820 | $48,620 | $49,100 | $35,100 | $62,230 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 360 | $47,610 | $47,720 | $35,630 | $60,250 |
| Akron | 330 | $47,110 | $47,670 | $35,240 | $60,030 |
| Toledo | 220 | $47,860 | $46,580 | $34,730 | $61,340 |
| Canton-Massillon | 170 | $46,540 | $45,400 | $29,360 | $60,210 |
| Youngstown-Warren | 110 | $45,430 | $43,690 | $29,920 | $58,300 |
| Wheeling | 60 | $36,080 | $36,030 | $23,630 | $48,340 |
| Springfield | 50 | $46,350 | $44,480 | $33,610 | $53,880 |
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 Ohio
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Ohio according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 1,050 | $49,260 |
| Cincinnati | 1,040 | $48,380 |
| Cleveland | 820 | $48,620 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 360 | $47,610 |
| Akron | 330 | $47,110 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 4,790 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 Ohio with an out-of-state license? Contact the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Ohio.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Ohio is $47,990, which is $2,010 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board - Licensing Information: https://www.ovmlb.ohio.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |