Vet Technicians

Education for tomorrow's vet techs

Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Massachusetts

If you live in Massachusetts and love animals, consider a career as a veterinary technician, a veterinary assistant or an animal caretaker. All of these fields are growing in Massachusetts, with more positions opening up every year. There is no licensing for vet techs, vet assistants or caretakers in Massachusetts, but having good training is important for getting a job working with animals. [Leer en español]

Salaries for Massachusetts Veterinary Technicians

Vet techs working in Massachusetts can expect to command a competitive salary. The average annual pay for a vet tech in the state is $40,120, as compared to the national average of $32,570. Vet techs can earn as much as $54,590 on the high end of the pay scale. Veterinary assistants and animal caretakers earn less, with an average salary in Massachusetts of $32,280. These positions generally require less training and experience.

Requirements for Veterinary Technicians Working

There are no official licensing requirements for vet techs in the state, although the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure does define the tasks a vet tech can do without direct or immediate supervision by a veterinarian. Although there is no licensing, it is essential that a vet tech be trained through a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). A hopeful vet tech should also take and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) to demonstrate proficiency to future employers. Many employers will also want to see that a vet tech has been voluntarily certified through the Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association.

AVMA-Accredited Veterinary Technician Programs

Two-year veterinary technology programs accredited by the AVMA are rigorous and prepare students for all the skills needed to work with animals under the supervision of a veterinarian. There are several such programs in Massachusetts:

Veterinary Technician Employers

Across the state there are more than 2,600 vet techs and more than 1,900 vet assistants and animal caretakers employed by veterinarians, animal hospitals, emergency centers, shelters, kennels and research laboratories. Some examples of employers in the state include:

Professional Organizations for Massachusetts Vet Techs

Vet techs can join the Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association to become certified and to gain access to resources for continuing education and networking. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America is a nationwide professional organization that provides resources across the country.

Popular Colleges

College and University Listings

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA NECTA Division Area

Becker College

61 Sever St, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609-2165
Veterinary Technology – Bachelor Program, Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Becker College offers multiple training options, including a Bachelor program and an Associate program. All programs are taught at their campus in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. The college has approximately 2,021 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Tuition fees are, as a rough guide, around $34,080 for each academic year, while books and supplies may cost roughly $960, although this varies from program to program.

Northwest Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area Area

Berkshire Community College

1350 West Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201-5786
Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

The Certificate program at Berkshire Community College is taught at their campus in Pittsfield in Berkshire County, MA. This public college has roughly 2,230 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is around $4,866 and for out-of-state students around $10,482 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,009, depending on the program.

Springfield, MA-CT Area

Holyoke Community College

303 Homestead Ave, Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040
Veterinary Technician – Associate Program

The Veterinary Technician Associate’s degree program at Holyoke Community College is based at their campus in Holyoke in Hampden County, Massachusetts. This public college has roughly 6,604 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Fees for tuition for in-state students are likely to be in the order of $4,166 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $9,110 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $1,600, although this varies from program to program.

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA NECTA Division Area

Mount Ida College

777 Dedham Street, Newton, Massachusetts 02459
Veterinary Technology – Bachelor Program, Veterinary Technician – Associate Program

Mount Ida College offers multiple training options, including a Bachelor program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Newton, Massachusetts. Of the 1,320 students, about 2% are postgraduates. The college is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Fees for tuition are about $32,300 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,000, depending on the program chosen.

North Shore Community College

1 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, Massachusetts 01923-0840
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

North Shore Community College’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is based at their campus in Danvers in Essex County, MA. The college has about 7,412 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is about $4,536 and for students from other states around $10,104 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,200, depending on the program chosen.

* 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

Massachusetts residents have further educational options in the neighboring states of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont.