Veterinary Technician Working Conditions

Veterinary technologists and technicians held about 95,600 jobs in 2014, of which 91 percent were in the veterinary services industry.

Their working conditions may be physically or emotionally demanding at times as their duties often include dealing with abused animals and may involve helping with the treatment, and sometimes euthanization, of animals that are sick, injured, or unwanted. Additionally, working conditions for veterinary technologists and technicians include a higher risk of injury and illness than the national average for most occupations. When working with scared or aggressive animals, they are inherently at risk to be bitten, scratched, or kicked. Injuries can also happen while the technologist or technician is holding, cleaning, or restraining an animal.

Physical working conditions for veterinary technologists and technicians include work settings with private clinics, laboratories, animal hospitals, boarding kennels, animal shelters, rescue leagues, and zoos. Many clinics and laboratories must be staffed 24 hours a day, so working conditions for some veterinary technologists and technicians may include working evenings, weekends, or holidays.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition