How long does veterinary technician training take in South Dakota?

Most people become a Veterinary Technician in South Dakota through an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

Do veterinary technicians need a license in South Dakota?

Yes. South Dakota requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technicians, administered by the South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in South Dakota (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technicians earn in South Dakota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technicians in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $45,300. Employment concentration in South Dakota is roughly 0.79 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in South Dakota?

South Dakota currently employs approximately 300 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $45,300 ($21.78/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 300 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -4.4% below the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $45,300 ($21.78/hr)
25th percentile: $37,430 per year
75th percentile: $47,040 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $50,440 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $35,780 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 300
Versus national median: -4.4% below the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.79 - this occupation is less concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

South Dakota employs about 300 veterinary technicians earning a median $45,300 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 South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Key Facts

Median wage (South Dakota): $45,300/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in South Dakota: 300 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.79x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 9.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Licensing/credentialing body: South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

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: South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (South Dakota): $45,300 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in South Dakota

How to become a Veterinary Technician in South Dakota? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. 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 South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Do I need a license in South Dakota? Yes. South Dakota licenses veterinary technicians through South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners ⁴. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technicians earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in South Dakota is $45,300 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,780 and experienced professionals can earn $50,440 or more ¹.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in South Dakota

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in South Dakota 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 South Dakota RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. 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 South Dakota

The South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners licenses veterinary technicians in South Dakota 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 South Dakota RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

Hour totals, alternate routes, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the South Dakota veterinary medical board before you enroll.

Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Sioux Falls	100	$46,490	$44,880	$37,080	$49,590
Rapid City	50	$45,210	$42,550	$30,900	$49,590
Sioux City	40	$41,130	$42,160	$36,600	$47,410

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 South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 300 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 Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Dakota.

How much do veterinary technicians earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in South Dakota is $45,300, which is $680 below 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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners - Licensing Information: https://vetboard.sd.gov/licapp.html ↩︎ ↩︎
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)