Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Arizona

Arizona is a great place to live with its sunshine and warm climate. It’s also a promising state in which to find a job as a veterinary technician, a veterinary assistant, or an animal caretaker. Growth in these fields is expected to be positive with more jobs being added every year. These rewarding careers are also fun, but they do require a certain amount of training. To be a vet tech in Arizona requires certification through the state. [Leer en español]

Veterinary Technician Salaries

The national average salary for a vet tech is $36,850, while the average for Arizona is $36,690. The highest earners in the state can make as much as $46,860, much better than the national average. Veterinary assistants in Arizona make a little less than vet techs, at $24,290 the average, but to become an assistant requires less training and no certification.

Requirements for Veterinary Technician Certification

Veterinary technicians are like nurses for animals. They do important and challenging work, which means that training and certification are required. To be certified in Arizona, vet techs must have been trained at a school that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and approved by the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. Applicants for certification must also have passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination and the Arizona state exam for vet techs.

Veterinary Technician National Examination

The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) is a comprehensive test that covers many areas of the vet tech job. The VTNE consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and applicants have three hours to complete it. There are four sections: clinical sciences, medical technology, pharmacology, and practice management. The exam fee for Arizona residents is $300.

Once certification is achieved, the vet tech must renew it every two years by taking continuing education classes and paying a fee. Renewal fees vary depending on the length of time since one’s last renewal and are subject to change.

AVMA-Accredited Veterinary Technician Programs

Arizona requires that vet techs working in the state have attended and completed a veterinary technician program at an AVMA-accredited school. There are several of these in Arizona:

• Mesa Community College, Mesa
• Pima Community College, Tucson
• Pima Medical Institute-East Valley
• Pima Medical Institute-Mesa

Veterinary Technician Employers in Arizona

Over 2,000 vet techs and nearly 800 veterinary assistants are currently employed in Arizona, and the number of positions available is growing. There are many employers for vet techs and assistants, including animal hospitals, research facilities, kennels, and private veterinary practices. Some of the employers in the state include:

• Emergency Animal Clinic, Phoenix
• Arrow Animal Hospital, Glendale
• Oasis Animal Hospital, Chandler
• University Animal Hospital, Tempe
• Rita Ranch Pet Hospital, Tucson
• Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Tucson

Professional Organizations for Vet Techs

Veterinary technicians and assistants working in Arizona may join the Veterinary Health Care Team of Arizona (VHCTAz), a subsidiary of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. The organization is designed to include everyone working in animal care from veterinarians to vet techs and even office staff. Vet techs can also join the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, which provides resources on a national level.

Veterinary Technician Schools in Arizona

• Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ
• Tucson, AZ

Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ Area

Carrington College-Mesa

do not remove this text1001 Southern Ave., Ste. 130, Mesa, Arizona 85210
iVeterinary Assisting – Certificate Program

The Veterinary Assisting Certificate program at Carrington College is taught at their Mesa campus in the city of Mesa. This private, for-profit college has in the order of 718 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Tuition fees for the Vet Tech program are likely to be around $14,265 annually. Learning materials may cost around $580. Program completion is normally 9 months. The program includes courses on nursing skills, animal anatomy and physiology, surgical procedures, chemistry, and animal restraint, as well as office-based skills such as computer basics, telephone, and appointments.

Carrington College-Phoenix

do not remove this text8503 N 27th Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85051-4063
iVeterinary Assisting – Certificate Program

Carrington College’s Certificate program in Veterinary Assisting is taught at their Phoenix campus in the city of Phoenix. This private, for-profit college has about 617 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The cost of tuition for the Vet Tech program is broadly about $14,265 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $580. Usually, the program is completed in 9 months.

Mesa Community College

do not remove this text1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, Arizona 85202
iVeterinary Technology – Associate Program

Mesa Community College’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is based at its campus in the city of Mesa, AZ. Most of the school’s 22,711 students are in 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is in the order of $2,046 and for students from outside the state around $7,830 for each academic year, while books and supplies may cost roughly $1,280, although this varies from program to program.

Pima Medical Institute-East Valley

do not remove this text2160 S Power Rd, Mesa, Arizona 85209
iVeterinary Assistant – Certificate Program, Veterinary Technician – Associate Program

Pima Medical Institute offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are taught at their East Valley campus in Mesa in Maricopa County, AZ. The majority of the school’s 459 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Tuition fees for the Vet Tech program are in the order of $16,443 per year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,824. Usually, the program is completed in 12 months.

Pima Medical Institute-Mesa

do not remove this text957 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202
iVeterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

The Certificate program at Pima Medical Institute is offered at their Mesa campus in the city of Mesa, AZ. The majority of the school’s 1,038 students are in 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Tuition fees are about $12,024 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $670, although this will depend on the program.

Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix

do not remove this text1445 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85014-4929
iVeterinary Technician – Associate Program, Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

Pima Medical Institute offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. All programs are taught at their Phoenix campus in the city of Phoenix. The Vet Tech program, with a duration of 1055 contact hours, is the college’s largest program. Tuition fees are about $16,443 per year, while books and supplies may cost in the order of $1,824, although this varies from program to program.

Tucson, AZ Area

Carrington College-Tucson

do not remove this text201 N. Bonita Ave., Suite 101, Tucson, Arizona 85745
iVeterinary Assisting – Certificate Program

The Veterinary Assisting Certificate program at Carrington College is offered at their Tucson campus in the city of Tucson, Arizona. This private, for-profit college has about 424 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Tuition fees for the Vet Tech program are generally about $14,265 for each academic year. Books and supplies can cost roughly $580. The typical program completion time is 9 months.

Pima Community College

do not remove this text4905C East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85709-1275
iVeterinary Practice Assistant – Certificate Program, Veterinary Technician – Associate Program

Pima Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are taught at their campus in the city of Tucson. This public college has about 28,070 students in total, with most students in 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees for in-state students are generally about $1,974 and for students from other states approximately $8,610 annually, while study materials may cost around $1,600, depending on the program.

Pima Medical Institute-Tucson

do not remove this text3350 East Grant Road, Suite 200, Tucson, Arizona 85716
iVeterinary Technician – Associate Program, Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

Pima Medical Institute offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their Tucson campus in the city of Tucson, AZ. This private, for-profit college has around 1,948 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The cost of tuition for the Vet Tech program is in the order of $12,024 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost roughly $743. Program completion is usually 8 months.

* Tuition fees and accreditation status are correct at the time of writing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with the college before applying.

Other Options

See options in the neighboring states of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.

College Listings

Veterinary technician salaries in Arizona

Arizona had 3,970 employed veterinary technologists and technicians as of the most recent federal data. That number tells you something useful: this is a real job market here, with enough demand to support careers across the Phoenix metro, Tucson, and smaller communities. Salaries vary by role, experience, and employer type, so it helps to understand the full picture before you choose a program.

According to BLS May 2025 OEWS data, the median annual wage for veterinary technologists and technicians in Arizona is $46,300. The mean (average) sits slightly higher at $47,470, which suggests some higher-paying positions pull the average up. Here is how pay is spread across the field:

• Bottom 10% of earners: $37,870 per year
• 25th percentile: $43,510 per year
• Median (50th percentile): $46,300 per year
• 75th percentile: $49,340 per year
• Top 10% of earners: $58,350 per year

The gap between the bottom and top of that range is over $20,000. That spread reflects differences in specialization, years of experience, and the type of practice where you work. Emergency and specialty hospitals typically pay more than general practice. Rural areas may pay differently than the Phoenix or Tucson metros.

How the entry-level path compares

If you start as a veterinary assistant before pursuing licensure as a technician, your pay will be lower at first. BLS May 2025 OEWS data shows veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Arizona earn a median of $38,250 per year. The mean is $40,630.

Here is the full range for that role in Arizona:

• Bottom 10%: $35,530 per year
• 25th percentile: $37,010 per year
• Median: $38,250 per year
• 75th percentile: $45,900 per year
• Top 10%: $47,460 per year

The median gap between a veterinary assistant and a licensed technician in Arizona is about $8,050 per year. Over a five-year period, that difference adds up to more than $40,000 in earnings. That is one reason many people who start as assistants go back to school to complete a credentialed technician program.

There is also meaningful overlap at the top end. The best-paid veterinary assistants in Arizona earn close to what entry-level technicians earn. But the ceiling for licensed technicians is higher, and many specialty and emergency clinics require the credential before they will consider you for senior roles.

Programs in Arizona that train veterinary assistants and technicians

Several schools in Arizona train people for these roles. The list below covers programs with verified, active program pages. Program details such as tuition and completion rates change, so contact each school directly to get current numbers.

Programs in Mesa

Carrington College-Mesa trains veterinary assistants at its Mesa campus. Carrington is a private, accredited institution with campuses across the western United States.

Mesa Community College has a veterinary assisting program that leads to a certificate. As a community college, it typically has lower tuition than private schools. Contact the program office for current costs and schedule options.

Pima Medical Institute-East Valley also trains veterinary assistants in Mesa. Pima Medical Institute is a well-known vocational school with multiple campuses in Arizona.

Programs in Phoenix

Carrington College-Phoenix North has a veterinary assisting program at its Phoenix campus. If you live in the north Phoenix area, this may be a convenient option.

Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix trains veterinary assistants in Phoenix as well. Multiple campuses in the valley give you some flexibility if you want to compare schedules or locations.

Programs in Tucson

Carrington College-Tucson has veterinary assisting training in Tucson. This gives southern Arizona students an option close to home.

Pima Community College in Tucson has a veterinary assisting program listed in its course catalog. As a community college, it tends to cost less per credit than private career schools.

Pima Medical Institute-Tucson rounds out the Tucson options. Having multiple schools in Tucson means you can compare program formats and schedules before you commit.

What to ask before you enroll

Picking a program is not just about location. A few specific questions will help you compare schools on the things that matter most to your career.

Is the program accredited by AVMA?

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredits veterinary technology programs in the United States. Accreditation means the program has met a national standard for curriculum, facilities, and clinical training. If you want to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), which is the licensing exam required in most states, you generally need to have graduated from an AVMA-accredited program. Ask each school directly whether its program holds AVMA accreditation before you enroll.

What does clinical training look like?

Hands-on training matters in this field. You will need practice drawing blood, placing IV catheters, running lab equipment, and assisting in surgery. Ask the school how many clinical hours the program includes and where those hours take place. Some schools have on-site animal labs. Others place students at local clinics and hospitals. Know what you are getting before you start.

What is the total cost?

Tuition is one part of the cost. Add up fees, lab costs, uniforms, textbooks, and any equipment you need to buy. Community colleges like Mesa Community College and Pima Community College in Tucson typically cost less per credit hour than private schools. Private schools may have more flexible schedules or faster completion timelines. Compare total cost, not just the sticker price on the program page.

How long will it take?

Certificate programs for veterinary assistants often run six months to a year. Associate degree programs for veterinary technicians typically take two years. If you are working while you go to school, check whether the program has evening or hybrid options. A program you can actually finish is worth more than a faster one you cannot complete while managing your other responsibilities.

Career path from assistant to technician

Many people in Arizona follow a two-step path. They start as a veterinary assistant, get hired at a clinic, and then go back to school for the technician credential while working. This approach lets you earn while you learn and gives you clinical context that makes the coursework easier to understand.

The tradeoff is time. Completing two programs takes longer than going straight for a two-year technician degree. If you already know you want to be a licensed technician, going directly into an AVMA-accredited program may be the more efficient route.

Either way, the salary data shows a clear direction. The more credential and experience you bring, the higher your earning potential in Arizona’s veterinary field. The top 10% of licensed technicians in the state earn $58,350 per year, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That is a meaningful career goal, and it starts with the right training program.

Next steps

Use the program links above to visit the school pages for the Arizona campuses closest to you. Look at each program’s format, length, and accreditation status. Then contact the admissions office directly to ask about current tuition, financial aid, and start dates. The sooner you have those details in hand, the easier it is to make a decision that fits your schedule and your budget.