How long does veterinary technologist training take in District of Columbia?

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

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in District of Columbia (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technologists earn in District of Columbia?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technologists in District of Columbia earned a median annual wage of approximately $61,270. Employment concentration in District of Columbia is roughly 0.21 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for veterinary technologists in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia currently employs approximately 120 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

District of Columbia veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $61,270 ($29.46/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 120 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 29.3% above the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $61,270 ($29.46/hr)
25th percentile: $50,390 per year
75th percentile: $80,030 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $81,990 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $50,390 per year
Workers employed in District of Columbia: 120
Versus national median: 29.3% above the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.21 - this occupation is less concentrated in District of Columbia than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

District of Columbia employs about 120 veterinary technologists earning a median $61,270 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Veterinary Technologist here means completing an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure, then applying through the District of Columbia veterinary medical board.

District of Columbia employs approximately 120 veterinary technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,270 ¹. Nationally, veterinary technologist 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 Technologist in District of Columbia, 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
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (District of Columbia): $61,270 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in District of Columbia

How to become a Veterinary Technologist in District of Columbia? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through the District of Columbia veterinary medical board. 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 the District of Columbia veterinary medical board.

Do I need a license in District of Columbia? Yes. District of Columbia licenses veterinary technicians through its veterinary medical board after an AVMA-accredited program and the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technologists earn in District of Columbia? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in District of Columbia is $61,270 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,390 and experienced professionals can earn $81,990 or more ¹.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in District of Columbia

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in District of Columbia typically require a high school diploma or GED.
Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program. Enroll in an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program ⁴. 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 District of Columbia RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through the District of Columbia veterinary medical board. 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 Technologist License Requirements in District of Columbia

District of Columbia licenses veterinary technicians through its veterinary medical board. Most candidates complete an AVMA-accredited program ⁴ 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 District of Columbia RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technologist Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in District of Columbia 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

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 technologists in District of Columbia? District of Columbia currently employs approximately 120 veterinary technologists ¹. Nationally, veterinary technologist employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do veterinary technologists earn in District of Columbia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in District of Columbia is $61,270, which is $15,290 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data ¹.

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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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)