Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
SOC Code: 29-2056 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $39,998 | $56,139 | $72,259 | $88,400 |
| Anchorage, AK | $39,686 | $53,269 | $66,830 | $80,413 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $53,893 | $60,840 | $67,808 | $74,755 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $51,875 | $58,490 | $65,083 | $71,698 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $51,854 | $57,408 | $62,941 | $68,494 |
| Corvallis, OR | $41,579 | $50,419 | $59,280 | $68,120 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $47,507 | $53,726 | $59,946 | $66,165 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $50,960 | $56,035 | $61,090 | $66,165 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $50,211 | $55,494 | $60,798 | $66,082 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $45,781 | $52,229 | $58,698 | $65,146 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University | 1 | $47,711 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | $47,711 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 | |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 | |
| Speaking | 3.6 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.2 | |
| Monitoring | 3.2 | |
| Writing | 3.2 | |
| Active Learning | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Dentistry | 4.1 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.1 |
| Biology | 4.0 |
| English Language | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.5 |
| Chemistry | 3.3 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.0 |
| Education and Training | 2.9 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 41.2% |
| Associate's degree | 26.4% |
| Some college | 14.6% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 7.4% |
| Post-first professional | 5.5% |
| Bachelor's degree | 4.9% |
Typical Tasks
- Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
- Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
- Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
- Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
- Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
- Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
- Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
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