Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Georgia
Working as a veterinary technician is a rewarding career for an animal lover and also one with great opportunities in Georgia. While working as a vet tech requires education, training, and licensing, those who want to work with animals can also consider jobs as veterinary assistants or animal caregivers for a research laboratory or animal shelter. [Leer en español]
Salaries for Georgia Veterinary Technicians
While the average annual salary for a Georgia veterinary technician ($36,540) is a little lower than the national average of $$36,850, the cost of living in the state is also significantly lower than the national average. Future Georgia vet techs should also know that the highest earners in the state make up to $49,680. Veterinary assistants and animal caregivers make a little less, with an average annual salary of $28,820, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
State Requirements
To work as a veterinary technician in Georgia, individuals must be licensed by the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine. To be licensed requires a notarized application with the appropriate fee, passing scores on the Veterinary Technician National Examination, proof of five years of experience working with a licensed veterinarian, and transcripts from the completion of a veterinary technology program at a school certified by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Penn Foster College – Veterinary Technician Program
Full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Clinical externships through a private practice near your home or Penn Foster College’s partner VCA Animal Hospitals. Gain hands-on experience alongside licensed veterinarians and credentialed veterinary technicians. Call 1-800-851-1819 today.
AVMA-Accredited Veterinary Technician Programs
The Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine will consider non-AVMA programs, but there are several options for programs in Georgia that have been accredited by the AVMA:
- Athens Technical College, Athens
- Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley
- Gwinnett Technical College, Lawrenceville
- Ogeechee Technical College, Statesboro
- Southern Regional Technical College, Thomasville
Veterinary Technician Employers in Georgia
There are many opportunities for vet techs working in Georgia and a variety of employers. Vet techs, as well as veterinary assistants and animal caregivers, may work with private practice veterinarians, in teaching animal hospitals, with emergency and specialist veterinarians, and even at zoos:
- Athens Area Humane Society, Athens
- The University of Georgia Large Animal Teaching Hospital, Athens
- Savannah Veterinary Internal Medicine, Savannah
- Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta
- Animal Eye Specialists, Marietta
- BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Medicine for Pets, Sandy Springs and Lawrenceville
Professional Organizations
The official veterinary technician professional organization in Georgia is the Georgia Veterinary Technician and Assistant Association. The group invites licensed vet techs and working vet assistants to join and take advantage of access to continuing education, job listings, and other important resources. Vet techs in Georgia may also want to join the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America or NAVTA. NAVTA offers members resources on a national level.
Veterinary Technician Schools in Georgia
- Athens-Clarke County, GA
- Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
- East Georgia nonmetropolitan area
- South Georgia nonmetropolitan area
Athens-Clarke County, GA Area
Athens Technical College
800 U.S. Hwy 29 North, Athens, Georgia 30601
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program, Veterinary Technician Assistant – Certificate Program
Athens Technical College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. All programs are based at their campus in the city of Athens, Georgia. This public college has roughly 4,336 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for in-state students is usually around $2,684 and for out-of-state students in the order of $4,820 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $900, although this will vary with the program.
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA Area
Gwinnett Technical College
5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043-5702
Veterinary Technology – Certificate Program, Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
Gwinnett Technical College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are based at their campus in Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County. The majority of of the school’s 7,234 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is in the order of $2,796 and for students from outside the state around $4,932 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost roughly $1,750, although this will vary with the program.
East Georgia nonmetropolitan area Area
Ogeechee Technical College
One Joseph E. Kennedy Blvd, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program, Veterinary Technology – Certificate Program
Ogeechee Technical College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the town of Statesboro. The college has in the order of 2,340 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly in the order of $2,862 and for students from outside the state around $4,998 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $1,255, although this will vary with the program.
Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area Area
Fort Valley State University
1005 State University Dr, Fort Valley, Georgia 31030-4313
Veterinary Technology – Bachelor Program
Fort Valley State University’s Bachelor-level Veterinary Technology program is taught at their campus in the town of Fort Valley, GA. This is a full, 4-year public college with 2,594 students, of which 86% are undergraduates. The university is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Fees for tuition for in-state students are in the order of $5,594 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $15,850 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $1,500, although this varies from program to program.
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area Area
Southern Regional Technical College
15689 US Hwy 19 North, Thomasville, Georgia 31792
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Southern Regional Technical College is offered at their campus in the town of Thomasville, GA. Tuition fees for in-state students are about $2,614 and for students from other states approximately $4,750 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,338, although this will depend on the program.
Warner Robins, GA Area
Central Georgia Technical College
80 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088
Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program
Central Georgia Technical College’s Certificate program is based at their campus in the city of Warner Robins. Most of the school’s 7,625 students are on 2-year programs. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly about $2,674 and for students from other states around $4,810 for each academic year, while books and supplies may cost roughly $1,390, although this varies from program to program.
* Tuition fees and accredition status are correct at the time of writing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with college before applying.
Other Options
Georgia residents have further educational options in the neighboring states of Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina.
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