How long does veterinary technician training take in West Virginia?

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

Do veterinary technicians need a license in West Virginia?

Yes. West Virginia requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technicians, administered by the VETERINARY MEDICINE. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in West Virginia (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technicians earn in West Virginia?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technicians in West Virginia earned a median annual wage of approximately $37,700. Employment concentration in West Virginia is roughly 0.69 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 West Virginia?

West Virginia currently employs approximately 400 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

West Virginia veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $37,700 ($18.13/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 400 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -20.4% below the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $37,700 ($18.13/hr)
25th percentile: $31,330 per year
75th percentile: $44,860 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $48,170 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $29,430 per year
Workers employed in West Virginia: 400
Versus national median: -20.4% below the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.69 - this occupation is less concentrated in West Virginia than the national average

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

West Virginia employs about 400 veterinary technicians earning a median $37,700 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 VETERINARY MEDICINE.

Key Facts

Median wage (West Virginia): $37,700/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in West Virginia: 400 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.69x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 9.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Licensing/credentialing body: VETERINARY MEDICINE (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: VETERINARY MEDICINE
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (West Virginia): $37,700 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in West Virginia

How to become a Veterinary Technician in West Virginia? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through VETERINARY MEDICINE. 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 VETERINARY MEDICINE.

Do I need a license in West Virginia? Yes. West Virginia licenses veterinary technicians through VETERINARY MEDICINE ⁴. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technicians earn in West Virginia? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in West Virginia is $37,700 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,430 and experienced professionals can earn $48,170 or more ¹.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in West Virginia

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in West Virginia 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 West Virginia RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through VETERINARY MEDICINE. 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 West Virginia

The VETERINARY MEDICINE licenses veterinary technicians in West Virginia 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 West Virginia RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in West 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
Charleston	70	$41,710	$40,790	$30,610	$45,100
Wheeling	60	$36,080	$36,030	$23,630	$48,340
Morgantown	50	$44,780	$42,210	$30,700	$49,030

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 West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 400 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 West Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the VETERINARY MEDICINE for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technicians earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in West Virginia is $37,700, which is $8,280 below the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data ¹.

In West Virginia

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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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
VETERINARY MEDICINE - Licensing Information: http://www.wvbvm.org ↩︎ ↩︎
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)