How to Become A Veterinary Technician in South Carolina
South Carolina employs approximately 2,540 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,020 1. The state’s concentration of veterinary technician jobs is 1.33x 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 South Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in South Carolina
How do I become a veterinary technician in South Carolina? South Carolina requires credentials such as Veterinary Technician, Animal Health Technician, Veterinary Intern. The licensing authority is the SC Board of Veterinary Examiners 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 South Carolina? Yes. South Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The SC Board of Veterinary Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in South Carolina is $39,020 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,870 and experienced professionals can earn $57,970 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: SC Board of Veterinary Examiners
- Median wage (South Carolina): $39,020 per year 1
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in South Carolina
The SC Board of Veterinary Examiners oversees veterinary technician licensing in South Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technician | Contact licensing agency for more information. |
| Animal Health Technician | Contact licensing agency for more information. |
| Veterinary Intern | Contact licensing agency for more information. |
| Veterinarian | Contact licensing agency for more information. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 620 | $46,310 | $46,910 | $36,200 | $59,060 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 560 | $41,980 | $45,410 | $37,720 | $57,440 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 520 | $45,740 | $48,360 | $36,310 | $65,950 |
| Columbia | 430 | $38,390 | $41,360 | $30,150 | $52,050 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 180 | $37,300 | $41,150 | $31,290 | $53,520 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 160 | $36,600 | $40,100 | $33,890 | $46,710 |
| Spartanburg | 140 | $36,660 | $39,030 | $34,450 | $46,870 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | 120 | $38,100 | $42,170 | $34,300 | $53,700 |
| Florence | 60 | $36,660 | $37,150 | $29,360 | $46,380 |
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 South Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within South Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | 560 | $41,980 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 520 | $45,740 |
| Columbia | 430 | $38,390 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 160 | $36,600 |
| Spartanburg | 140 | $36,660 |
Explore More Trades in South Carolina
- Electrician in South Carolina
- Plumber in South Carolina
- HVAC Technician in South Carolina
- Welder in South Carolina
- Carpenter in South Carolina
- Solar Installation Technician in South Carolina
- Auto Mechanic in South Carolina
- CNC Machinist in South Carolina
- Certified Nursing Assistant in South Carolina
- Medical Assistant in South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 2,540 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 South Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the SC Board of Veterinary Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in South Carolina.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in South Carolina is $39,020, which is $6,960 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
SC Board of Veterinary Examiners - Licensing Information: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Veterinary/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |