How long does veterinary technologist training take in South Carolina?

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

Do veterinary technologists need a license in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technologists, administered by the SC Board of Veterinary Examiners. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in South Carolina (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technologists earn in South Carolina?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technologists in South Carolina earned a median annual wage of approximately $39,020. Employment concentration in South Carolina is about 1.33 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for veterinary technologists in South Carolina?

South Carolina currently employs approximately 2,540 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

South Carolina veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $39,020 ($18.76/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,540 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -17.6% below the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $39,020 ($18.76/hr)
25th percentile: $36,310 per year
75th percentile: $47,310 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $57,970 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $33,870 per year
Workers employed in South Carolina: 2,540
Versus national median: -17.6% below the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.33 - this occupation is more concentrated in South Carolina than the national average

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

South Carolina employs about 2,540 veterinary technologists earning a median $39,020 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 SC Board of Veterinary Examiners.

South Carolina employs approximately 2,540 veterinary technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,020 ¹. The state’s concentration of veterinary technologist jobs is 1.33x 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 South Carolina, 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: SC Board of Veterinary Examiners
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (South Carolina): $39,020 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in South Carolina

How to become a Veterinary Technologist in South Carolina? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through SC Board of Veterinary Examiners. 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 SC Board of Veterinary Examiners.

Do I need a license in South Carolina? Yes. South Carolina licenses veterinary technicians through SC Board of Veterinary Examiners ⁴. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technologists earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in South Carolina is $39,020 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,870 and experienced professionals can earn $57,970 or more ¹.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in South Carolina

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in South Carolina typically require a high school diploma or GED.
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.
Pass the VTNE. Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination. See the AAVSB VTNE ³ for current exam rules.
Apply for South Carolina RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through SC Board of Veterinary Examiners. 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 South Carolina

The SC Board of Veterinary Examiners licenses veterinary technicians in South Carolina ⁴. Most candidates complete an AVMA-accredited program ⁵ 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 South Carolina RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technologist Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia	620	$46,310	$46,910	$36,200	$59,060
Charleston-North Charleston	560	$41,980	$45,410	$37,720	$57,440
Greenville-Anderson-Greer	520	$45,740	$48,360	$36,310	$65,950
Columbia	430	$38,390	$41,360	$30,150	$52,050
Augusta-Richmond County	180	$37,300	$41,150	$31,290	$53,520
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach	160	$36,600	$40,100	$33,890	$46,710
Spartanburg	140	$36,660	$39,030	$34,450	$46,870
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal	120	$38,100	$42,170	$34,300	$53,700
Florence	60	$36,660	$37,150	$29,360	$46,380

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 South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 2,540 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 South Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the SC Board of Veterinary Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technologists earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in South Carolina is $39,020, which is $6,960 below the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data ¹.

In South Carolina

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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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
SC Board of Veterinary Examiners - Licensing Information: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Veterinary/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)