How To Become a Veterinary Assistant in Massachusetts

Working with animals is a dream job for many. Caring for animals provides both a meaningful and enjoyable career as well as skilled work that leads to a stable income. While becoming a veterinarian or even a veterinary technician requires a lot of education, it is possible to get into a career in veterinary assisting almost immediately.

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Veterinary assistants work directly under the supervision of veterinarians and provide assistance with procedures, exams, and treatments. They provide basic care for animals, such as exercise and feeding. They also work with pet owners and do administrative work.

How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts takes a very hands-off approach to veterinary assisting. There are no educational or certification requirements or any listed duties that a veterinary assistant can or cannot perform. It is simply defined by the state as anyone assisting a veterinarian or providing animal care under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.

While a training program is not technically required, it does help to prepare for the job and to get hired by a veterinarian. A program at a vocational school or community college teaches students the basic knowledge and skills necessary for working with animals.

Opportunities for National Certification

While the state of Massachusetts does not have educational or certification requirements for veterinary assistants, there are important benefits of formal training and getting certified, including being qualified for more jobs. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) offers a certification called Approved Veterinary Assistants, or AVA. There are a few ways to get this certification, including the completion of a NAVTA-approved program.

Completing an approved program qualifies a veterinary assisting student to take the AVA exam to seek certification, but it is not the only way to get access to the exam. Experiential learning can also qualify individuals for the AVA test. Working under a veterinarian in an externship or through a field-based training program can also qualify an individual for the exam.

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Massachusetts Veterinary Assistant Programs

Massachusetts has two NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant programs. One program is at Worcester Technical High School in Worcester and is a vocational program for high school students. The program houses a low-cost animal clinic run by the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Students learn to be veterinary assistants through coursework and gain valuable experience in a hands-on setting in the clinic.

Another NAVTA-approved program in Massachusetts is the IVG Hospitals Veterinary Assistant Program for adult students. This program is run by a group of veterinary hospitals with three locations in the state:

  • Boston West Veterinary Emergency and Specialty, Natick
  • Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital, Woburn
  • Bulger Veterinary Hospital, North Andover

The IVG program trains students to become veterinary assistants through hands-on work in the hospitals, providing assistance to veterinarians and vet techs. The program is designed to train students to become certified through the AVA program, but also to prepare them to continue their education with a veterinary technician program.

Working as a Veterinary Assistant in Massachusetts

There are many great opportunities to get hired as a veterinary assistant in Massachusetts, especially in the Boston area where there are many animal hospitals and veterinary practices. There are currently about 1,780 veterinary assistants working in the state, but this is a field that is growing rapidly. Across the country, there is an increasing need for dedicated people to work with animals and assist veterinarians.

In Massachusetts, the average salary for veterinary assistants is highly competitive and much higher than the national average. The average hourly rate in the state is $17.96, and the average annual salary is $37,360. This is compared to the national average of $14.32 per hour and $29,780 annually.

Veterinary Assistant Salaries in Massachusetts by Region

AreaTotal EmployedAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Barnstable Town, MA50$16.01$33,300
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH1,400$16.89$35,130
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA240$14.83$30,850
Springfield, MA-CT**$15.95$33,170
Worcester, MA-CT230$15.22$31,660

Demand for veterinary assistants will continue to grow in Massachusetts and around the country over the next several years. Trained animal workers will have the chance to find employment in veterinary offices big and small, in specialty veterinary centers, in large animal hospitals, in educational institutions, and in zoos. If you live in Massachusetts and are looking for a rewarding career with animals, consider becoming a veterinary assistant.

Search Veterinary Assistant Programs

Get information on Veterinary Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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College and University Listings

Northwest Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area Area

Berkshire Community College

1350 West Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201-5786

Veterinary Assistant – Certificate ProgramVeterinary Assistant – Associate Program

Berkshire Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are based at their campus in Pittsfield in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. The majority of the school’s 2,230 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Fees for tuition for in-state students are likely to be in the order of $4,866 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $10,482 yearly, while study materials may cost about $1,009, depending on the program.

* 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 also the neighboring states of Rhode IslandConnecticutNew YorkNew Hampshire, and Vermont. You can find vet technician programs in Massachusetts here.