Top 10 Highest Paying Vet Tech Jobs in 2025

Ready to upgrade your career as a Vet Tech? You're not alone! With Vet Tech salaries on the rise and more Veterinary careers branching out into higher-paying fields, everyone's hunting for those sweet spots that bring both purpose and a hefty paycheck. From high-demand specialties to quirky jobs that pay more than you'd expect, we're shining a spotlight on the highest paid Vet Tech opportunities for 2025. 

Whether you're itching to move beyond the just-okay salary, searching for work-life balance, or hoping to flex some new skills, this guide’s for you. We break down the top-paying gigs, salary numbers, required certifications, pros and cons, and step-by-step advice for landing your next role.

Why hunt for the highest paid Vet Tech jobs?

You love animals. But let's be real, passion alone doesn't pay the rent. The industry’s grown fast in recent years, with a big bump in earning potential, especially for Vet Techs who specialize, earn extra certificates, or pick the right regions or hospitals. Wondering how you can put more in your bank account and less stress on your plate? You’re in the right place.

And a little kangaroo fun fact: Roo’s healthcare stipend even covers your pets’ medical needs. If that’s not a win-win, we don’t know what is!

Top 10 highest paying Vet Tech roles in 2025

Curious where the big salaries are hiding? Here’s the list. We ranked these jobs based on salary data, growth, and insider feedback from top Veterinary career sites, including Roo, AVMA, JAVMA and Clinician's Brief.

1. Veterinary surgery technician

• Average salary: $78,090 annually (top earners up to $93,000 on large teams)
• What you do: Help in surgery prep, anesthesia, assisting with post-op care, and working next to specialists in advanced procedures.
• How to land this job: You’ll need experience in surgery, anesthesia certification (sometimes preferred), and nerves of steel. Most hospitals offer on-the-job training, but a couple of extra courses can give you an edge.
• Pros: High demand, hands-on, always learning new things.
• Cons: High stress, not for the squeamish.
• Day-to-day: Scrubbing in, prepping patients, monitoring anesthesia, and supporting the Vet through tight procedures.

2. Emergency & critical care Vet Tech

• Average salary: $49,290 annually
• What you do: Support Vets in ERs, handle emergencies, stabilize patients, manage trauma cases.
• How to land this job: Associate’s degree and state license required. Additional VTS (Veterinary Technician Specialist) certification in Emergency & Critical Care takes pay even higher.
• Pros: Fast-paced, variety every shift, strong camaraderie.
• Cons: Crazy hours, emotional toll.
• Day-to-day: Rushing to emergencies, monitoring life-sustaining equipment, comforting anxious families.

3. Animal laboratory technician

• Average salary: $47,889 annually
• What you do: Work in research labs, help with studies, maintain protocols, and care for lab animals.
• How to land this job: Lab science classes and sometimes a bachelor’s in animal science or biology.
• Pros: Regular hours, solid benefits, academic vibe.
• Cons: Less hands-on animal care, paperwork.
• Day-to-day: Managing animal housing, assisting with tests, handling samples for research.

4. Veterinary dental technician

• Average salary: $45,144 annually
• What you do: Assist with cleanings, extractions, radiographs, and oral surgery.
• How to land this job: VTS in Dentistry makes a big difference. Shadow a dental specialist to bulk up experience.
• Pros: Niche specialty, less crowded field.
• Cons: Tedious work, sometimes slow growth if your hospital doesn’t offer dental.
• Day-to-day: Prepping and monitoring dental patients, taking dental x-rays, assisting with surgical procedures.

5. Veterinary radiology technician

• Average salary: $45,144 annually
• What you do: Run x-rays, ultrasounds, CTs, and help diagnose tough cases.
• How to land this job: Radiology courses or certificate, plus practice under a certified professional.
• Pros: In demand, technical skills, cool gadgets.
• Cons: High learning curve, sometimes physically demanding.
• Day-to-day: Setting up imaging, calming pets (and owners!), ensuring accurate records.

6. Veterinary oncology technician

• Average salary: $45,144 annually
• What you do: Work in cancer centers with Vet oncologists, track chemo, monitor side effects, support patients emotionally.
• How to land this job: Certification or on-the-job training in oncology. VTS certification boosts earnings.
• Pros: Real impact, rewarding bonds with families.
• Cons: Emotional stress.
• Day-to-day: Tracking treatment, maintaining equipment, client communication.

7. Research veterinary technician

• Average salary: $45,144 annually
• What you do: Support research teams in universities or pharma companies. Focus may be pets, farm animals, or even lab animals.
• How to land this job: Bachelor’s degree or specialty research certification.
• Pros: Academic atmosphere, opportunities for advancement.
• Cons: Slow career progression, sometimes less interaction with animals.
• Day-to-day: Preparing samples, documenting findings, planning studies.

8. Pharmaceutical industry Vet Tech

• Average salary: $40,074 annually
• What you do: Manage drug testing, prep studies, and help track safety for animal pharmaceuticals.
• How to land this job: Vet Tech or science degree, plus certifications in research protocols.
• Pros: Regular hours, high tech, stable pay.
• Cons: Less animal contact, can be tedious.
• Day-to-day: Recording results, reporting, working with big pharma teams.

9. Zoo veterinary technician

• Average salary: $45,144 annually
• What you do: Care for exotic animals, assist zoo veterinarians with everything from surgery to checkups.
• How to land this job: Wildlife experience, special courses in zoo medicine.
• Pros: Unique animals, always something new.
• Cons: Low turnover, competitive.
• Day-to-day: Monitoring animal health, record keeping, enrichment planning.

10. Relief veterinary technician

• Average salary: $45,144 annually
• What you do: Fill in at clinics during staff shortages, travel to hospitals, set your own schedule (hello, work-life balance!).
• How to land this job: State credentials, strong references, sometimes license portability.
• Pros: Freedom, variety, higher hourly rates.
• Cons: No guarantees, must adapt quickly.
• Day-to-day: New hospitals, different teams, always learning.

Vet Tech salaries: What influences pay?

Let’s address the burning question: Why do some Vet Techs earn way more than others? Here’s what shapes those numbers:

• Location: High cost-of-living states like California and New York pay more.
• Experience: The longer you’ve worked, the bigger your paycheck.
• Specialization: Extra credentials (like VTS in surgery or emergency care) mean bigger bucks.
• Employer type: Universities, government labs, and large animal hospitals pay more than small clinics.
• Certifications: Licensure and specialized certificates always boost earnings.
• Schedule flexibility: Relief tech gigs pay more per hour, but few guarantees.

Thinking about boosting your salary? Look into pursuing advanced certifications, shifting into a specialty, or moving states.

Pssst: You can always check opportunities in your area at Roo's Careers Page!

How to transition into higher paying roles

Itching to upgrade your Vet Tech salary? Here are the steps Vet Techs are taking in 2025:

1. Find a specialty you love. Niche fields like dental, oncology, and surgery pay more.
2. Get certified. State licensure is mandatory. For specialties, go for a VTS (Veterinary Technician Specialist) credential.
3. Upgrade your skills. Attend Roo’s Free CE Events to stack up new certifications and meet hospital leaders.
4. Network like a pro. Keep in touch with Roo’s LinkedIn or hospitals.
5. Look for jobs where you’ll shine. Larger practices, specialty clinics, or hospitals pay more.
6. Negotiate. Know your market value, use salary data, certifications, and experience as talking points.

Ready to see what else you can do as a Vet Tech? Check out grow your skills through flexible shifts with Roo.

How a day looks in the highest paying roles

No two hospital shifts are really alike, but here's what you might find in these top Vet Tech jobs:

• Surgery & ER techs: High adrenaline, quick decisions, lots of teamwork.
• Lab and research techs: Sample prep, running tests, less animal interaction, but regular schedule.
• Relief techs: Variety, self-managed time.
• Dental and oncology techs: Focused patient care, empathy for pets and families.

Professional development & resources

Continuing education pays off, literally. Grab new skills at Roo’s Free CE Events Page and build your value (and paycheck). Many Vet Techs also jump into networking — hit up Roo's LinkedIn to connect with leaders in animal care or hospital managers.

If hospital work is your jam, you’ll find tons of resources at Roo's hospital success stories. For Vet Tech career moves, visit Roo’s Careers Page for the latest openings. And yes, Roo’s healthcare stipend covers your pets, too!

The flip side: Pros and cons of high-paying Vet Tech jobs

Nobody loves every task, right? Here’s what balances the scale:

• Pros: Higher pay, specialized skills, regular hours for some gigs, unique animal cases.
• Cons: More responsibility, advanced certification requirements, emotional toll in crisis settings, fierce competition for niche roles.

Frequently asked questions

1 : What is the highest paid Vet Tech?
Answer : The highest paid Vet Tech jobs are usually in surgery or emergency care, with top earners making up to $93,000 annually.

2. What factors influence Vet Tech salaries?
Answer : Several things drive pay — experience level, geographic location, certifications, and hospital size.

3. Which regions offer the highest salaries?
Answer : States like California, New York, and Washington top the chart for Vet Tech salaries, with average annual wages ranging from $50,000 to $77,000.

4. What certifications boost my Vet Tech salary?
Answer : certifications which boost  my Vet Tech salary

• Earning a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) certification
• Getting licensed in multiple states (license portability)
• Completing lab, imaging, or anesthesia programs

5. How do I find high paying Vet Tech jobs fast?
Answer : Check Roo’s Careers Page for roles filtered by salary and specialty, update your LinkedIn, and use job boards like JAVMA and Clinician’s Brief to follow open positions.

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