Basic Veterinary Career Path

Veterinary Assistant
AKA: hey you
Education required: None, can learn on the job, however, you can go to school
Examination/s required: None
Responsibilities: Depends on the clinic but usually assists technician and veterinarian.
Professional organization: None
Salary: $8 to $15 per hour ($16,00 to $31,000 per year)
The Lowdown: Responsibilities may be equal to veterinary tech but NOT equal in pay!
Cost for Education: $0-$15,000
Veterinary Technician
AKA: CVT or RVT or LVT
Education required: 2 years at an AVMA college
Examination/s required: State exam, national exam
Responsibilities: Assists veterinarian
Professional organization:NAVTA
Salary: $10 to $25 per hour ($21,000 to $52,000 per year)
The Lowdown: More responsibilities than Vet Assistant, better pay. Rewarding work if
you like being with animals but you will never get rich.
Cost for Education: $5,000-$20,000
Veterinarian
AKA: DVM
Education required: 4 years university, 4 years vet school
Examination/s required: State exam, national exam
Responsibilities: Diagnose, prescribe, prognose, surgery. The one that is ultimately
responsible for the animal.
Professional organization: AVMA
Salary: $93,000 per year
The Lowdown: More years of school but vets have a much, much higher salary than
the technician, however waaaay more responsibilities. Long hours but very rewarding
both emotionally and financially.
Cost for Education: $50,000-$550,000
NAVTA National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
AVMA American Veterinary Medical Association
CVT / LVT / RVT Certified Vet Technician / Licensed Vet Tech / Registered Vet Tech
DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine