How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Michigan (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Michigan employs about 2,550 veterinary technologists earning a median $49,710 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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing.

Michigan employs approximately 2,550 veterinary technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,710 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 Michigan, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Michigan

How to become a Veterinary Technologist in Michigan? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing. 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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing.

Do I need a license in Michigan? Yes. Michigan licenses veterinary technicians through Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 4. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technologists earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Michigan is $49,710 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,410 and experienced professionals can earn $63,020 or more 1.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Michigan

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Michigan 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 Michigan RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing. 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 Michigan

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing licenses veterinary technicians in Michigan 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 Michigan RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technologist Wages by Metro Area in Michigan

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Michigan

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn930$53,100$52,870$37,740$61,380
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood290$52,420$53,030$38,230$74,710
Lansing-East Lansing210$53,450$55,270$39,080$63,690
Ann Arbor100$49,900$53,370$39,340$63,300
South Bend-Mishawaka80$47,440$47,990$38,910$56,970
Kalamazoo-Portage80$50,720$51,620$38,580$58,220
Flint70$49,060$50,320$35,650$63,160
Saginaw50$47,790$49,090$37,380$62,730
Battle Creek40$47,680$48,070$32,150$63,830
Jackson40$47,470$49,130$38,290$62,800
Monroe40$49,160$48,940$34,930$59,860
Traverse City40$48,250$51,210$36,830$63,790
Michigan City-La Porte30$47,230$48,290$37,730$58,980
Midland30$53,830$53,020$40,070$64,920

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 Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 2,550 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 Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technologists earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Michigan is $49,710, which is $3,730 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.

In Michigan

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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

  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. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎

  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)