How long does veterinary technician training take in Washington?

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

Do veterinary technicians need a license in Washington?

Yes. Washington requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technicians, administered by the Department of Health. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Washington (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technicians earn in Washington?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technicians in Washington earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,740. Employment concentration in Washington is roughly 0.78 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 Washington?

Washington currently employs approximately 2,290 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

Washington veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $59,740 ($28.72/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,290 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 26.1% above the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $59,740 ($28.72/hr)
25th percentile: $50,700 per year
75th percentile: $64,480 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $77,300 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $46,390 per year
Workers employed in Washington: 2,290
Versus national median: 26.1% above the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.78 - this occupation is less concentrated in Washington than the national average

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

Washington employs about 2,290 veterinary technicians earning a median $59,740 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 Department of Health.

Washington employs approximately 2,290 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,740 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 Washington, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

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: Department of Health
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (Washington): $59,740 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Washington

How to become a Veterinary Technician in Washington? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Department of Health. 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 Department of Health.

Do I need a license in Washington? Yes. Washington licenses veterinary technicians through Department of Health ⁴. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technicians earn in Washington? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Washington is $59,740 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,390 and experienced professionals can earn $77,300 or more ¹.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Washington

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Washington 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 Washington RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Department of Health. 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 Washington

The Department of Health licenses veterinary technicians in Washington 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 Washington RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Washington

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Washington

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Washington 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
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	1,170	$61,260	$62,510	$49,360	$78,060
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro	760	$58,300	$59,690	$46,490	$77,300
Spokane-Spokane Valley	170	$57,100	$54,220	$37,380	$62,270
Bellingham	100	$59,360	$57,560	$46,730	$74,120
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard	90	$57,720	$58,160	$40,790	$79,360
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater	90	$59,260	$57,160	$39,080	$74,480
Kennewick-Richland	50	$61,070	$60,000	$46,670	$77,100
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	40	$60,830	$62,660	$47,940	$80,180

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 Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 2,290 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 Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technicians earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Washington is $59,740, which is $13,760 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data ¹.

In Washington

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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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health - Licensing Information: http://www.doh.wa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎
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)