Becoming a Veterinary Technician in New Hampshire
The field of veterinary technology is booming in New Hampshire, with the number of veterinary technicians in the state projected to grow by 33.2 percent between 2012 and 2022. New Hampshire has seen positive job growth in recent years, but veterinary technology is outpacing many other fields in this state and nationwide. Furthermore, the rate at which veterinary technician jobs are growing is even faster than the rate at which they are growing across the country. [Leer en español]
Salaries for Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary technicians in New Hampshire earn an average yearly salary of $38,880. This is slightly higher than the average salary for all vet techs across the country. The cost of living in New Hampshire is 16.6 percent higher than the national average, while the median home price is practically the same as the national median home price. The highest-paid veterinary technicians in New Hampshire can earn as much as $48,030 per year.
New Hampshire Veterinary Technicians Requirements
New Hampshire is one of several states that does not require veterinary technicians to be licensed to practice. However, almost all employers prefer to hire formally trained and certified vet techs. The New Hampshire Veterinary Technician Association, which certifies vet techs in New Hampshire, requires applicants to have completed an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) approved program and to have passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) within the previous five 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 Education in New Hampshire
There are two American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited vet tech programs in the state of New Hampshire. The Great Bay Community College program is fully accredited and offers an associate of science in veterinary technology degree. As of 2014, the University of New Hampshire offers a new associate of applied science in veterinary technology degree, which is currently in its initial accreditation stage.
Major Veterinary Technician Employers in New Hampshire
There are 740 veterinary technicians currently employed in New Hampshire, and new positions are rapidly becoming available. Veterinary technicians in New Hampshire primarily work with small, domestic animals, although there are some opportunities for livestock and production animal care for those who are interested in such work. Facilities in need of veterinary technicians include:
- Veterinary Emergency Medical Center of Manchester
- Capital Area Veterinary Emergency Services, Concord
- Brentwood Country Animal Hospital, Exeter
- Southern New Hampshire Veterinary Referral Hospital, Manchester
- Granite State Animal Hospital, LLC, Windham
Professional Organizations
Two professional organizations in New Hampshire are open to veterinary technicians. Vet techs in this state may join the New Hampshire Veterinary Technician Association (NHVTA) or the New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association (NHVMA). Both organizations provide frequent job postings and continuing education opportunities. The NHVMA also provides legislative representation for the field of veterinary medicine, while the NHVTA is responsible for certifying vet techs in New Hampshire.
Veterinary Technician Schools in New Hampshire
Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury, MA-NH NECTA Division Area
Great Bay Community College
320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801-2879
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Great Bay Community College is offered at their campus in Portsmouth in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. The majority of the school’s 2,079 students are in 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly $7,104 and for out-of-state students around $15,264 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,750, depending on the program chosen.
Rochester-Dover, NH-ME Area
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
105 Main St., Thompson Hall, Durham, New Hampshire 03824-3547
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
The University of New Hampshire-Main Campus’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is offered at their Main campus in Durham in Strafford County. This is a full, 4-year public college with 15,117 students, of which 85% are undergraduates. The University of New Hampshire-Main Campus has institutional accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is 86%. Tuition fees for in-state students are generally around $16,986 and for out-of-state students approximately $30,256 annually. Study materials can cost around $1,200, 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
New Hampshire residents have further educational options in the neighboring states of Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York.
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