Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Illinois
In Illinois, the job outlook for people working with animals is positive. The number of jobs opening up for veterinary technicians, vet assistants, and animal caregivers is expected to grow for several years. For anyone with a passion for animals, a career working in the veterinary technology field is a great option. [Leer en español]
Veterinary Technician Salaries
The national average salary for a vet tech is $36,850, while in Illinois it is $37,950. Veterinary assistants and animal caregivers, who require less training and don’t need to be certified, earn an average of $29,890 per year. Top earners in each field can make $51,620 and $37,710, respectively. These salaries can go a long way in Illinois, where the cost of living is more than four percent lower than the national average.
Requirements for Veterinary Technician Certification
Certification of vet techs in Illinois is overseen by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. To apply for certification, a vet tech must have graduated from a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Certification has to be renewed every two years, and vet techs must take a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education coursework every two years.
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
There are several schools in Illinois offering American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited veterinary technology programs, which confer an associate degree in applied science and prepare students to pass the VTNE:
- Joliet Junior College, Joliet
- Parkland College, Champaign
- Rockford Career College, Rockford
- Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market, Herrin
- Vet Tech Institute at Fox College, Tinley Park
Veterinary Technician Employers in Illinois
The 3,700 vet techs and 1,560 veterinary assistants and animal caregivers employed in Illinois work in a variety of settings. These include veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, veterinary specialty centers, emergency rooms, animal research facilities, rescue shelters, and kennels:
- Banfield Pet Hospital, Aurora
- Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS), Chicago
- Northern Illinois Cat Clinic, Libertyville
- Veterinary Specialty Center in Illinois, Chicago
- The University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Urbana
- Animal Emergency Clinic of Champaign, Champaign
Professional Organizations for Vet Techs in Illinois
Illinois vet techs can join the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA). The ISVMA is not just for veterinarians. Vet techs are welcome to join and can benefit from resources such as specialty training, continuing education opportunities, and job listings. Vet techs may also want to join the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, which provides similar resources on a national level.
Veterinary Technician Schools in Illinois
- Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL Metropolitan Division
- South Illinois nonmetropolitan area
- East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area
- Rockford, IL
- Champaign-Urbana, IL
- St. Louis, MO-IL
Champaign-Urbana, IL Area
Parkland College
2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, Illinois 61821-1899
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
The Veterinary Technology Associate’s program at Parkland College can be taken at their campus in the city of Champaign. The college has around 8,443 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-district students are generally around $3,945 and are $9,555 and $14,355 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Books and supplies can cost around $1,200, although this will depend on the program.
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL Metropolitan Division Area
Fox College
6640 S. Cicero, Bedford Park, Illinois 60638
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Fox College is offered at their campus in Bedford Park in Cook County. This private, for-profit college has around 360 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees are around $15,080 annually. Study materials can cost around $1,808, depending on the program chosen.
Joliet Junior College
1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, Illinois 60431-8938
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Joliet Junior College can be taken at their campus in Joliet in Will County. The college has a region of 15,776 students in total, with the majority of students in 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees for in-district students are generally around $3,450 and are $10,508 and $11,187 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Books and supplies can cost around $1,350, although this will depend on the program.
East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area Area
Kaskaskia College
27210 College Rd, Centralia, Illinois 62801
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
Kaskaskia College’s Associate program in Veterinary Technology is based at their campus in Centralia in Marion County, Illinois. The college has a region of 4,906 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees for in-district students are likely to be around $4,192 and are $7,456 and $13,152 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively, while books and supplies may cost about $1,392, although this varies from program to program.
Rockford, IL Area
Madison Media Institute-Rockford Career College
1130 South Alpine Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108
Veterinary Technician – Associate Program
The Associate’s program at Madison Media Institute-Rockford Career College is based at their campus in the city of Rockford, Illinois. The majority of the school’s 434 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Tuition fees are about $11,684 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,500, depending on the program chosen.
South Illinois nonmetropolitan area Area
John A Logan College
700 Logan College Road, Carterville, Illinois 62918-2500
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
John A Logan College’s Associate program in Veterinary Technology is offered at their campus in Carterville in Williamson County. This public college has in the region of 6,718 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Fees for tuition for in-district students are usually about $3,270 and are $10,752 and $12,002 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,454, depending on the program chosen.
Rend Lake College
468 N Ken Gray Pky, Ina, Illinois 62846
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
Rend Lake College’s Associate program in Veterinary Technology is taught at their campus in Ina in Jefferson County, Illinois. The majority of the school’s 2,970 students are on 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 in-district students is likely to be in the order of $3,000 and is $4,605 and $4,650 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Learning materials may cost about $1,800, although this will vary with the program.
Shawnee Community College
8364 Shawnee College Rd, Ullin, Illinois 62992
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
The Associate’s program at Shawnee Community College is offered at their campus in Ullin in Pulaski County. Most of the school’s 1,799 students are 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-district students are generally around $3,264 and are $5,344 and $5,408 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Books and supplies can cost around $1,250, although this will depend on the program.
Southeastern Illinois College
3575 College Road, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
Southeastern Illinois College’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is offered at their campus in Harrisburg in Saline County, IL. Most of the school’s 1,834 students are in 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees for in-district students are usually around $3,120 and are $4,800 and $5,040 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,112, depending on the program chosen.
* 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
Students may also wish to review their options in Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana.
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