Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in West Virginia
Thinking about a career as a Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in West Virginia? Here’s what you need to know. Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
What do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Make in West Virginia?
For veterinary technologists and technicians working in West Virginia, the median annual wage is $36,350 per year (or about $17.48/hour).Earnings range from $27,660 at the 10th percentile to $47,710 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| 25th percentile | $30,360 | $14.59 |
| Median (50th) | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| 75th percentile | $42,490 | $20.43 |
| 90th percentile | $47,710 | $22.94 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in West Virginia compared to the national average — is 0.76, suggesting fewer veterinary technologists and technicians per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median of $47,148 per year ($22.67/hour), lower than the West Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 1,946,495 veterinary technologists and technicians across the United States. In West Virginia alone, about 460 people work in this role. That trails the typical state, which employs around 1,780 veterinary technologists and technicians.
Top West Virginia Metros for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
These are the West Virginia metros with the most veterinary technologists and technicians in West Virginia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 110 | $35,290 |
| Charleston, WV | 60 | $38,740 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 60 | $34,620 |
Top States for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Employment
View the states that employ the most veterinary technologists and technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 16,170 |
| California | 11,380 |
| Florida | 10,130 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,840 |
| New York | 5,480 |
| Illinois | 4,840 |
| Ohio | 4,720 |
| Minnesota | 4,320 |
| Colorado | 3,990 |
| Massachusetts | 3,900 |
| North Carolina | 3,650 |
| New Jersey | 3,500 |
| Arizona | 3,390 |
| Georgia | 3,280 |
| Maryland | 3,090 |
| Michigan | 2,880 |
| Wisconsin | 2,860 |
| Virginia | 2,800 |
| Indiana | 2,340 |
| Tennessee | 2,270 |
Highest-Paying States for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
The highest-paying states for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,080 |
| New York | $58,830 |
| District of Columbia | $55,900 |
| Virginia | $55,790 |
| California | $55,080 |
| Minnesota | $49,480 |
| Maine | $49,460 |
| Oregon | $48,950 |
| Connecticut | $48,880 |
| New Jersey | $48,630 |
Skills
Key veterinary technologists and technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for veterinary technologists and technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
- Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
- Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
- Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
- Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
- Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
- Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
- Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
- Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
- Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.
- Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
Work Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Handling and Moving Objects
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians
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Related Careers
Careers similar to veterinary technologists and technicians include:
- Physician Assistants
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Veterinarians
- Nurse Anesthetists
- Anesthesiologists
- Emergency Medicine Physicians
Also Known As
Animal Care Technician (Animal Care Tech), Animal Health Technician (Animal Health Tech), Animal Technician (Animal Tech), Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Emergency Veterinary Technician (Emergency Vet Tech), Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician (Internal Medicine Vet Tech), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Swine Technician (Swine Tech), Veterinarian Lab Technician (Veterinary Lab Tech), Veterinarian Technician (Vet Tech), Veterinary Assistant (Vet Assistant), Veterinary Laboratory Technician (Vet Lab Tech), Veterinary Nurse (Vet Nurse), Veterinary Surgery Technician (Vet Surgery Tech).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-2056.00