How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania employs about 6,620 veterinary technicians earning a median $46,430 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 Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $46,430/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Pennsylvania: 6,620 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.31x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 9.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
- Licensing/credentialing body: Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)
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Pennsylvania employs approximately 6,620 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,430 1. The state’s concentration of veterinary technician jobs is 1.31x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Pennsylvania, 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: Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board
- Exam: VTNE
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $46,430 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Pennsylvania
How to become a Veterinary Technician in Pennsylvania? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Department of State - Veterinary Medicine 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 Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board.
Do I need a license in Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania licenses veterinary technicians through Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board 4. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Pennsylvania is $46,430 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,480 and experienced professionals can earn $60,280 or more 1.
How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Pennsylvania
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Department of State - Veterinary Medicine 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 Pennsylvania
The Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board licenses veterinary technicians in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.
Hour totals, alternate routes, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Pennsylvania veterinary medical board before you enroll.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 3,370 | $48,340 | $50,820 | $36,850 | $65,120 |
| Pittsburgh | 1,310 | $45,420 | $45,610 | $36,900 | $57,970 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 430 | $46,650 | $46,770 | $36,870 | $59,110 |
| Lancaster | 330 | $46,020 | $45,590 | $36,570 | $57,590 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 280 | $45,510 | $44,650 | $36,690 | $57,500 |
| York-Hanover | 230 | $45,120 | $43,760 | $35,090 | $57,210 |
| Reading | 190 | $45,570 | $44,770 | $36,990 | $57,380 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 180 | $44,620 | $43,780 | $36,640 | $57,040 |
| State College | 120 | $44,940 | $44,520 | $32,610 | $55,950 |
| Erie | 100 | $39,110 | $41,220 | $30,680 | $47,930 |
| Johnstown | 70 | $36,730 | $36,130 | $30,270 | $46,360 |
| Williamsport | 60 | $42,610 | $42,750 | $33,600 | $48,140 |
| Chambersburg | 50 | $45,800 | $44,270 | $35,630 | $51,130 |
| Lebanon | 50 | $39,010 | $43,410 | $35,570 | $55,620 |
| Altoona | 40 | $42,070 | $41,070 | $33,990 | $48,120 |
| Gettysburg | 40 | $44,860 | $45,120 | $35,930 | $56,880 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 6,620 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 Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Pennsylvania.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Pennsylvania is $46,430, which is $450 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.
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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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/VeterinaryMedicine/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |