How long does veterinary technologist training take in Rhode Island?

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

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Rhode Island (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technologists earn in Rhode Island?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technologists in Rhode Island earned a median annual wage of approximately $45,310. Employment concentration in Rhode Island is about 1.27 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for veterinary technologists in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island currently employs approximately 530 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

Rhode Island veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $45,310 ($21.78/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 530 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -4.4% below the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $45,310 ($21.78/hr)
25th percentile: $38,130 per year
75th percentile: $60,760 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $63,590 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,570 per year
Workers employed in Rhode Island: 530
Versus national median: -4.4% below the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.27 - this occupation is more concentrated in Rhode Island than the national average

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

Rhode Island employs about 530 veterinary technologists earning a median $45,310 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 Rhode Island veterinary medical board.

Rhode Island employs approximately 530 veterinary technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,310 ¹. The state’s concentration of veterinary technologist jobs is 1.27x 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 Rhode Island, 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 (Rhode Island): $45,310 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Rhode Island

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

Do I need a license in Rhode Island? Yes. Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Rhode Island is $45,310 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,570 and experienced professionals can earn $63,590 or more ¹.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Rhode Island

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technologist Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Providence-Warwick	730	$46,160	$49,650	$37,550	$63,590

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 Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 530 veterinary technologists ¹. Nationally, veterinary technologist employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do veterinary technologists earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Rhode Island is $45,310, which is $670 below the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data ¹.

In Rhode Island

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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)