How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Oregon (2026)

Oregon employs about 1,120 veterinary technologists earning a median $55,810 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 Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board.

Oregon employs approximately 1,120 veterinary technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $55,810 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 Oregon, 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: Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board
  • Exam: VTNE
  • Median wage (Oregon): $55,810 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Oregon

How to become a Veterinary Technologist in Oregon? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining 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 Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board.

Do I need a license in Oregon? Yes. Oregon licenses veterinary technicians through Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board 4. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technologists earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Oregon is $55,810 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,920 and experienced professionals can earn $77,710 or more 1.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Oregon

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Oregon 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 Oregon RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining 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 Oregon

The Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board licenses veterinary technicians in Oregon 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 Oregon RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technologist Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro760$58,300$59,690$46,490$77,300
Salem90$49,310$50,230$31,370$61,920
Corvallis80$67,960$68,140$49,190$78,680
Eugene-Springfield80$50,140$52,580$39,510$62,460
Bend70$54,110$55,570$45,800$73,500
Medford50$51,900$56,280$38,350$81,290

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 Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 1,120 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 Oregon with an out-of-state license? Contact the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technologists earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Oregon is $55,810, which is $9,830 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.

In Oregon

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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. Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board - Licensing Information: https://www.oregon.gov/tspc/Pages/index.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎

  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)