How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 16,730 veterinary technicians earning a median $39,410 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Becoming a veterinary technician here means training through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners credentialing requirements.
Sponsored - request program info
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 4,570 | $44,360 | $43,310 | $34,440 | $58,100 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 3,570 | $44,110 | $42,810 | $31,240 | $56,370 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 1,870 | $45,100 | $43,920 | $35,320 | $54,570 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 1,730 | $39,560 | $42,020 | $30,370 | $56,140 |
| College Station-Bryan | 400 | $44,850 | $44,800 | $30,150 | $63,250 |
| El Paso | 250 | $36,240 | $37,440 | $28,110 | $47,690 |
| Killeen-Temple | 210 | $37,850 | $39,490 | $29,870 | $47,460 |
| Corpus Christi | 200 | $36,850 | $36,540 | $22,980 | $46,770 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 190 | $35,460 | $36,670 | $28,590 | $46,710 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 160 | $37,590 | $39,340 | $29,450 | $49,290 |
| Longview | 130 | $37,130 | $38,340 | $29,080 | $46,260 |
| Waco | 130 | $37,560 | $39,260 | $28,730 | $48,280 |
| Abilene | 110 | $36,980 | $38,830 | $29,390 | $46,130 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 110 | $38,090 | $39,300 | $22,400 | $49,940 |
| Laredo | 70 | $35,940 | $40,060 | $28,240 | $70,870 |
| Midland | 70 | $39,400 | $41,500 | $31,200 | $49,830 |
| San Angelo | 70 | $36,640 | $36,160 | $28,080 | $45,040 |
| Sherman-Denison | 70 | $37,760 | $40,590 | $29,900 | $54,450 |
| Victoria | 60 | $36,290 | $37,080 | $29,900 | $44,750 |
| Odessa | 50 | $35,360 | $38,360 | $27,040 | $50,160 |
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
- Median wage (Texas): $39,410 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Both state and third-party exams required
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Texas
How do I become a veterinary technician in Texas? Texas requires credentials such as VETERINARY TECHNICIAN, LICENSED, Veterinarian Assistant (Racing), Veterinarian (Racing). The licensing authority is the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 2. 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 Texas? Yes. Texas has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners oversees licensing 2. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Texas? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Texas is $39,410 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,320 and experienced professionals can earn $54,610 or more 1.
Top Metros for Veterinary technicians in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 4,570 | $44,360 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 3,570 | $44,110 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 1,870 | $45,100 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 1,730 | $39,560 |
| College Station-Bryan | 400 | $44,850 |
How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, pass the required examination, and obtain the veterinary technician credential before working unsupervised in Texas.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Texas
The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners oversees veterinary technician licensing in Texas 2.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| VETERINARY TECHNICIAN, LICENSED | With appropriate supervision, a licensed veterinary technician (LVT) may perform various tasks delegated to the LVT by a Texas-licensed veterinarian. |
| Veterinarian Assistant (Racing) | An individual hired by a TxRC licensed veterinarian to assist the veterinarian within the enclosure. This is also used for horse-massage (equine) therapist. |
| Veterinarian (Racing) | A veterinarian licensed by the State Board of Veterinary Examiners. |
| Racing – Association Veterinarian | An individual hired by the association to provide veterinary service for Greyhounds. |
| VETERINARIAN | Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and control diseases and injuries in animals, as well as help prevent the spread of animal disease to humans. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Both state and third-party exams required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 16,730 veterinary technicians 1. Nationally, veterinary technician employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034 4.
Can I work as a veterinary technician in Texas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Texas.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Texas is $39,410, which is $6,570 below the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Texas
Top local programs
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Abbott, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Abell, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Abernathy, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Abilene, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Abram, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Ace, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Ackerly, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Adamsville, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Addicks, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Addison, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Adrian, Texas (2026)
- Best Vet Tech Programs in Ady, Texas (2026)
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Texas
- Best HVAC Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in Texas
- Best Plumbing Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in Texas
Explore More Trades in Texas
- Electrician in Texas
- Plumber in Texas
- HVAC Technician in Texas
- Welder in Texas
- Carpenter in Texas
- Solar Installation Technician in Texas
- Auto Mechanic in Texas
- CNC Machinist in Texas
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Texas
- Medical Assistant in Texas
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.veterinary.texas.gov/index.php ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎
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) |