How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Pennsylvania
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.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Pennsylvania
How do I become a veterinary technician in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania requires credentials such as Veterinary Technician, Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the Department of State - Veterinary Medicine 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 Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $46,430 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Pennsylvania
The Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board oversees veterinary technician licensing in Pennsylvania 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technician | A graduate of a board-approved program of animal health technology, certified under the Act, who is employed by or under the supervision of, a veterinarian to perform such duties as are required in th… |
| Veterinarian | The branch of medicine which deals with the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, administration, prescription, operation or manipulation or application of any apparatus of appliance for any disease, pain,… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
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 (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Veterinary technicians in Pennsylvania
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Pennsylvania according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 3,370 | $48,340 |
| Pittsburgh | 1,310 | $45,420 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 430 | $46,650 |
| Lancaster | 330 | $46,020 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 280 | $45,510 |
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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 apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited 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.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of State - Veterinary Medicine Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/VeterinaryMedicine/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |