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Veterinary Assistant Schools & Programs
Veterinary assistants are in high demand, with the BLS projecting 20% job growth through 2032 and over 24,000 annual openings nationwide. Veterinary assistant programs prepare you to support veterinarians and vet techs with animal care, clinical tasks, and the daily operations of a veterinary practice. If you love animals and want to start working in veterinary medicine quickly, a vet assistant program offers a shorter training path than vet tech or veterinary school. These programs build hands-on skills in animal handling, exam room preparation, and client communication.
Veterinary Assistant Salary Snapshot
U.S.22,200 openings/yr
What Is a Veterinary Assistant Program?
Veterinary assistant programs train students to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with animal care in clinical settings. Students learn animal restraint, exam room preparation, basic lab procedures, medication administration, and front-office tasks like appointment scheduling and client communication. Veterinary assistants work under the supervision of veterinarians or vet techs and perform tasks that do not require the advanced clinical skills of a licensed veterinary technician. Programs focus on building practical, job-ready skills that prepare graduates to contribute immediately in a fast-paced veterinary environment. Many programs include externships at local clinics that provide real-world experience before graduation.
What You’ll Learn
- Safe animal handling and restraint techniques for dogs, cats, and other species
- Exam room preparation, sanitation, and instrument care
- Basic animal anatomy, common diseases, and breed identification
- Medication administration (oral, topical) and prescription filling
- Surgical preparation and post-operative monitoring basics
- Laboratory sample collection and processing (under supervision)
- Front-office skills including scheduling, medical records, and client communication
- Animal nutrition fundamentals and feeding guidelines
- Veterinary medical terminology
- Emergency first aid and triage basics for common animal emergencies
How Long Does Training Take?
Certificate programs typically take 4 to 9 months to complete. Some are offered as intensive full-time programs, while others allow part-time or evening scheduling for working students. On-the-job training is also common in this field – some veterinary clinics hire assistants with no formal education and train them internally. However, completing a formal program makes you more competitive and prepares you for voluntary certification. There are no associate degree programs specifically for veterinary assistants (the associate degree path leads to the veterinary technician role instead). Program costs range from around $1,000 to $5,000 for certificate programs at vocational schools and community colleges. Financial aid, payment plans, and workforce development grants may be available depending on the program and your location.
Admissions & Requirements
- High school diploma or GED is typically required
- Comfort working with animals of various sizes and temperaments
- Physical ability to lift animals and stand for extended periods
- Up-to-date tetanus vaccination may be required
- No prior veterinary experience is usually needed
- Some programs require a personal interview or essay about your interest in animal care
- Basic math and science skills for medication calculations and lab work
Licensing & Certification
Veterinary assistants do not need a state license. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) offers the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) credential, which is a voluntary certification that demonstrates competency. To earn the AVA, you must complete a NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program and pass an exam. While not required for employment, the AVA credential can help you stand out to employers and may qualify you for higher starting pay. Some states have their own vet assistant credential frameworks as well. The AVA must be renewed periodically with continuing education credits, which helps ensure you stay current with best practices in veterinary support care.
Career Outlook & Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, OEWS, May 2024), veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers earn a median annual salary of $34,440. The top 10% of earners make over $51,660, while entry-level positions start around $20,660. Job growth for this occupation is projected at 20% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS reports approximately 24,200 annual job openings, driven by pet ownership growth, an aging pet population requiring more veterinary care, and expansion of veterinary services. Veterinary assistants working in specialty or emergency clinics often earn more than those in general practice. Geographic location also affects pay, with assistants in metropolitan areas and states with high costs of living typically earning above the national median.
Where You’ll Work
Veterinary assistants primarily work in private veterinary practices, which make up the largest share of employment in this field. Animal hospitals and emergency veterinary clinics also employ vet assistants, often with evening, weekend, and holiday shifts. Specialty practices focusing on areas like dermatology, oncology, or orthopedic surgery offer positions for assistants who want exposure to advanced care. Animal shelters, humane societies, boarding facilities, and research laboratories are additional employers. Some veterinary assistants work for mobile veterinary services that travel to farms or client homes.
Online vs In-Person Options
Veterinary assistant training is best completed in person or through a hybrid format because hands-on animal handling is a critical skill. In-person programs provide direct experience restraining animals, preparing exam rooms, and assisting with procedures in a clinical environment. Some programs offer online coursework for the academic portions (anatomy, terminology, office procedures) combined with in-person externships at local veterinary clinics. Fully online programs exist but will not give you the hands-on experience that employers value, so look for programs that include a clinical component. NAVTA-approved programs maintain standards for hands-on training regardless of delivery format, making them a reliable benchmark when choosing between programs.
Browse by Location
- View all locations: Veterinary Assistant by state
Veterinary Assistant Salary by State
| State | Median annual | Top 10% annual |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $29,660 | $38,540 |
| Alaska | $37,530 | $54,820 |
| Arizona | $38,240 | $49,230 |
| Arkansas | $30,550 | $37,490 |
| California | $45,470 | $58,550 |
| Colorado | $39,480 | $45,670 |
| Connecticut | $39,540 | $71,200 |
| Delaware | $36,060 | $47,780 |
| District of Columbia | $43,580 | $56,730 |
| Florida | $37,200 | $45,650 |
| Georgia | $34,980 | $41,250 |
| Hawaii | $35,420 | $48,240 |
| Idaho | $35,820 | $45,970 |
| Illinois | $37,310 | $47,830 |
| Indiana | $35,270 | $43,370 |
| Iowa | $31,200 | $45,320 |
| Kansas | $32,670 | $46,100 |
| Kentucky | $32,590 | $45,490 |
| Louisiana | $29,280 | $37,790 |
| Maine | $44,080 | $58,120 |
| Maryland | $43,520 | $59,860 |
| Massachusetts | $45,480 | $63,650 |
| Michigan | $36,550 | $47,010 |
| Minnesota | $43,670 | $47,260 |
| Mississippi | $29,730 | $35,900 |
| Missouri | $35,040 | $40,670 |
| Montana | $37,060 | $41,720 |
| Nebraska | $35,210 | $39,320 |
| Nevada | $36,160 | $47,380 |
| New Hampshire | $35,230 | $45,140 |
| New Jersey | $42,910 | $57,350 |
| New Mexico | $35,600 | $44,910 |
| New York | $43,150 | $51,170 |
| North Carolina | $36,680 | $45,810 |
| North Dakota | $36,370 | $43,230 |
| Ohio | $34,820 | $45,900 |
| Oklahoma | $29,730 | $44,650 |
| Oregon | $42,830 | $48,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,480 | $47,010 |
| Rhode Island | $48,050 | $48,630 |
| South Carolina | $35,680 | $48,430 |
| South Dakota | $32,810 | $36,670 |
| Tennessee | $36,440 | $44,020 |
| Texas | $30,430 | $46,020 |
| Utah | $35,730 | $46,710 |
| Vermont | $36,120 | $45,490 |
| Virginia | $36,500 | $45,800 |
| Washington | $43,590 | $47,680 |
| West Virginia | $32,630 | $36,990 |
| Wisconsin | $34,990 | $42,800 |
| Wyoming | $36,430 | $38,020 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024.
Career Guide
Veterinary assisting offers a direct entry point into animal healthcare with opportunities for advancement into vet tech and other specialized roles. Our career guide covers daily responsibilities, salary expectations across different practice types, and pathways for career growth. Career Guide: Veterinary Assistant →
FAQs
What is the difference between a veterinary assistant and a vet tech?
Veterinary assistants perform supportive tasks like animal restraint, exam room setup, and basic care under supervision. Veterinary technicians (vet techs) have more advanced training, typically an associate degree from an AVMA-accredited program, and are licensed to perform tasks like anesthesia administration, dental cleanings, radiographs, and lab diagnostics. Vet techs earn higher salaries and have a broader scope of practice. Some vet assistants use their experience as a stepping stone to vet tech programs.
Can I become a veterinary assistant with no experience?
Yes. Most veterinary assistant programs do not require prior experience with animals. Programs are designed to teach you from the ground up, starting with basic animal handling and building to clinical skills. A genuine love of animals, physical fitness, and willingness to learn are the most important qualities. Some clinics also hire assistants without formal training and provide on-the-job instruction.
Is the AVA certification worth getting?
The Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) credential from NAVTA is voluntary but can be a meaningful differentiator when applying for jobs. It shows employers that you have completed standardized training and passed a competency exam. Some employers offer higher starting pay for AVA-certified assistants, and the credential can also strengthen your application if you later decide to pursue vet tech education.
Can I advance from veterinary assistant to vet tech?
Yes, and this is one of the most common career progression paths in veterinary medicine. Working as a vet assistant gives you valuable clinical experience and helps you confirm that veterinary medicine is the right field for you before committing to a 2-year associate degree program. Some vet tech programs give credit for prior veterinary assistant training or experience. The hands-on skills and clinical vocabulary you develop as an assistant will give you a strong foundation for vet tech coursework.
What are the most challenging aspects of being a veterinary assistant?
The role can be physically demanding, requiring you to restrain animals that may be frightened, in pain, or aggressive. You will be on your feet for most of your shift and may need to lift animals weighing 50 pounds or more. Emotionally, veterinary assistants sometimes assist with euthanasia procedures and deal with grieving pet owners. The work can also involve exposure to animal waste, cleaning chemicals, and occasionally zoonotic diseases. Despite these challenges, most vet assistants report high job satisfaction from helping animals and their families.
What hours do veterinary assistants typically work?
Hours depend on the practice type. General veterinary practices typically operate Monday through Saturday during business hours, though early morning and late evening shifts are common. Emergency and specialty clinics operate 24/7, so vet assistants in those settings may work nights, weekends, and holidays. Part-time positions are widely available, making this field a good fit for students or those seeking flexible scheduling.
Salary data reflects U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for May 2024 where available, supplemented by industry reports. Actual earnings vary by location, experience, and employer. Program availability and costs vary by school.
Browse Veterinary Assistant Schools by State
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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