How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Tennessee
Tennessee employs approximately 1,640 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $42,810 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 Tennessee, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Tennessee
How do I become a veterinary technician in Tennessee? Tennessee requires credentials such as VETERINARY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN, CERTIFIED ANIMAL EUTHANASIA TECHNICIAN, CERTIFIED ANIMAL CHEMICAL CAPTURE TECHNICIAN. The licensing authority is the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards. 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 Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Tennessee is $42,810 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,660 and experienced professionals can earn $57,040 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 Health - Division of Health Related Boards
- Median wage (Tennessee): $42,810 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Tennessee
The Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards oversees veterinary technician licensing in Tennessee.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| VETERINARY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN | VETERINARY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN A veterinary technician performs procedures that are assigned or delegated to the technician by the supervising veterinarian and do not involve diagnosing, prescr… |
| CERTIFIED ANIMAL EUTHANASIA TECHNICIAN | CERTIFIED ANIMAL EUTHANASIA TECHNICIAN A person employed by a certified animal control agency who is authorized by the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to humanely euthanize animals by admini… |
| CERTIFIED ANIMAL CHEMICAL CAPTURE TECHNICIAN | CERTIFIED ANIMAL CHEMICAL CAPTURE TECHNICIAN An Animal Chemical Capture Technician is an individual employed by a certified governmental animal control agency who is certified by the Board to p… |
| VETERINARIAN | VETERINARIAN A licensed veterinarian is a person who is validly and currenly licensed to practice veterinary medicine. |
| ANIMAL CHEMICAL CAPTURE CERTIFICATION | ANIMAL CHEMICAL CAPTURE CERTIFICATION Certification required by a certified governmental animal control agency with a valid premises permit issued by the Board. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 470 | $44,640 | $45,160 | $36,760 | $58,590 |
| Knoxville | 340 | $50,010 | $48,070 | $35,420 | $61,020 |
| Memphis | 260 | $39,710 | $43,090 | $33,640 | $55,350 |
| Chattanooga | 150 | $39,000 | $42,740 | $31,820 | $53,350 |
| Clarksville | 70 | $38,190 | $39,940 | $29,120 | $49,030 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 60 | $41,530 | $43,000 | $32,820 | $55,140 |
| Johnson City | 50 | $36,830 | $40,450 | $27,600 | $51,060 |
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 Tennessee
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Tennessee according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin | 470 | $44,640 |
| Knoxville | 340 | $50,010 |
| Memphis | 260 | $39,710 |
| Chattanooga | 150 | $39,000 |
| Clarksville | 70 | $38,190 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 1,640 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 Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Tennessee is $42,810, which is $3,170 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |