How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Wisconsin (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Wisconsin employs about 2,590 veterinary technologists earning a median $47,020 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 WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Veterinary Examining Board.

Wisconsin employs approximately 2,590 veterinary technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,020 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 Wisconsin, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Wisconsin

How to become a Veterinary Technologist in Wisconsin? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Veterinary 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 WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Veterinary Examining Board.

Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin licenses veterinary technicians through WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Veterinary Examining Board 4. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technologists earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Wisconsin is $47,020 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,900 and experienced professionals can earn $59,110 or more 1.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Wisconsin

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Veterinary 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 Wisconsin

The WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Veterinary Examining Board licenses veterinary technicians in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technologist Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington2,520$59,090$58,140$48,510$66,620
Madison620$48,240$50,370$39,350$61,590
Milwaukee-Waukesha600$47,770$48,940$38,700$59,200
Duluth140$48,270$48,990$37,440$57,830
Green Bay110$46,820$47,520$38,370$59,340
Appleton100$46,880$47,570$38,690$59,130
Kenosha80$45,880$44,640$37,760$56,040
Wausau70$46,890$46,700$37,800$58,250
Eau Claire60$52,140$51,010$37,870$58,250
Janesville-Beloit60$44,970$45,130$37,270$58,030
La Crosse-Onalaska60$45,930$46,270$38,460$55,470
Racine-Mount Pleasant40$47,250$47,970$38,090$60,670

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 Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 2,590 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 Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Veterinary Examining Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technologists earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Wisconsin is $47,020, which is $1,040 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.

In Wisconsin

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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. WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Veterinary Examining Board - Licensing Information: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/VeterinaryExaminingBoard.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)