How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Texas (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Texas employs about 16,730 veterinary technologists earning a median $39,410 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 Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Texas employs approximately 16,730 veterinary technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,410 1. The state’s concentration of veterinary technologist jobs is 1.43x 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 Texas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Texas

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

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

What do veterinary technologists earn in Texas? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Texas is $39,410 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,320 and experienced professionals can earn $54,610 or more 1.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Texas

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

The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners licenses veterinary technicians in Texas 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 Texas RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technologist Wages by Metro Area in Texas

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Texas

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington4,570$44,360$43,310$34,440$58,100
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands3,570$44,110$42,810$31,240$56,370
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos1,870$45,100$43,920$35,320$54,570
San Antonio-New Braunfels1,730$39,560$42,020$30,370$56,140
College Station-Bryan400$44,850$44,800$30,150$63,250
El Paso250$36,240$37,440$28,110$47,690
Killeen-Temple210$37,850$39,490$29,870$47,460
Corpus Christi200$36,850$36,540$22,980$46,770
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission190$35,460$36,670$28,590$46,710
Beaumont-Port Arthur160$37,590$39,340$29,450$49,290
Longview130$37,130$38,340$29,080$46,260
Waco130$37,560$39,260$28,730$48,280
Abilene110$36,980$38,830$29,390$46,130
Brownsville-Harlingen110$38,090$39,300$22,400$49,940
Laredo70$35,940$40,060$28,240$70,870
Midland70$39,400$41,500$31,200$49,830
San Angelo70$36,640$36,160$28,080$45,040
Sherman-Denison70$37,760$40,590$29,900$54,450
Victoria60$36,290$37,080$29,900$44,750
Odessa50$35,360$38,360$27,040$50,160

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 Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 16,730 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 Texas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technologists earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Texas is $39,410, which is $6,570 below the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.

In Texas

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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. Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.veterinary.texas.gov/index.php ↩︎ ↩︎

  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)