How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Maine (2026)

Maine employs about 910 veterinary technologists earning a median $50,810 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 Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

Maine employs approximately 910 veterinary technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $50,810 1. The state’s concentration of veterinary technologist jobs is 1.71x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Maine, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Maine

How to become a Veterinary Technologist in Maine? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. 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 Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

Do I need a license in Maine? Yes. Maine licenses veterinary technicians through Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation 4. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technologists earn in Maine? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Maine is $50,810 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,340 and experienced professionals can earn $57,690 or more 1.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Maine

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Maine typically require a high school diploma or GED.
  2. 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.
  3. Pass the VTNE. Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination. See the AAVSB VTNE 3 for current exam rules.
  4. Apply for Maine RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. 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 Maine

The Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation licenses veterinary technicians in Maine 4. Most candidates complete an AVMA-accredited program 5 and pass the VTNE 3.

Typical veterinary technician path

  1. Finish high school or a GED.
  2. Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.
  3. Pass the VTNE.
  4. Apply for Maine RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technologist Wages by Metro Area in Maine

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Maine

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Maine vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Portland-South Portland490$50,890$53,000$50,120$57,490
Bangor90$48,510$48,670$38,800$58,610
Lewiston-Auburn50$49,270$49,750$46,300$57,960

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 Maine? Maine currently employs approximately 910 veterinary technologists 1. Nationally, veterinary technologist employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a veterinary technologist in Maine with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technologists earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Maine is $50,810, which is $4,830 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.

In Maine

Explore More Trades in Maine

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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. AAVSB - Veterinary Technician National Examination: https://www.aavsb.org/vtne ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Licensing Information: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/index.shtml ↩︎ ↩︎

  5. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)