How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Virginia
Virginia employs approximately 2,790 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $52,090 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 Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Virginia
How to become a veterinary technician in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Veterinary Technician License, Veterinary Faculty License, Stationary Veterinary Establishment Registration. The licensing authority is the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine 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 Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Virginia is $52,090 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,590 and experienced professionals can earn $75,770 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 Professions - Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine
- Median wage (Virginia): $52,090 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees veterinary technician licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technician License | “Veterinary technician” means a person licensed by the board as required by § 54.1-3805 of the Code of Virginia |
| Veterinary Faculty License | The holder of a faculty license shall be entitled to perform all functions that a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine would be entitled to perform as part of his faculty duties, including… |
| Stationary Veterinary Establishment Registration | “Veterinary establishment” or “establishment” means any stationary or ambulatory practice, veterinary hospital, animal hospital, or premises wherein or out of which veterinary medicine is being conduc… |
| Ambulatory Veterinary Establishment Registration | “Veterinary establishment” or “establishment” means any stationary or ambulatory practice, veterinary hospital, animal hospital, or premises wherein or out of which veterinary medicine is being conduc… |
| Temporary License to Practice Veterinary Medicine for an Intern or Resident | Upon payment of the fee prescribed in 18VAC150-20-100 and provided that no grounds exist to deny licensure pursuant to § 54. |
| Veterinarian License | The Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine consists of a 7-member Board as well as administrative, licensing, discipline, and support staff. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) |
Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 2,150 | $57,630 | $58,830 | $44,280 | $79,460 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 470 | $48,370 | $50,470 | $35,490 | $63,090 |
| Richmond | 420 | $53,220 | $54,880 | $37,200 | $71,750 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 150 | $51,960 | $51,870 | $34,520 | $65,900 |
| Charlottesville | 100 | $53,060 | $54,840 | $37,180 | $71,990 |
| Roanoke | 100 | $46,970 | $49,460 | $34,740 | $62,450 |
| Lynchburg | 90 | $46,030 | $44,330 | $30,870 | $60,730 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 60 | $41,530 | $43,000 | $32,820 | $55,140 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | 50 | $46,280 | $46,540 | $36,440 | $56,660 |
| Harrisonburg | 40 | $47,120 | $50,090 | $35,440 | $64,510 |
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 .
Top Metros for Veterinary technicians in Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 470 | $48,370 |
| Richmond | 420 | $53,220 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 150 | $51,960 |
| Charlottesville | 100 | $53,060 |
| Roanoke | 100 | $46,970 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 2,790 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 Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Virginia.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Virginia is $52,090, which is $6,110 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
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine - Licensing Information: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/VetMed/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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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) |