| Between 2006 and 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor | | | | 18 vet tech schools offer 4-year baccalaureate |
| Statistics estimates that the employment rate for | | | | degrees. Recently, the number of AVMA-accredited |
| veterinary technicians will grow as much as 41%, | | | | distance learning veterinary technician programs has |
| increasing the number of jobs from 71,100 to 100,000 | | | | increased to 9. |
| during this 10-year time period. This is considered a | | | | For every vet tech graduate, it is estimated that six to |
| great number as it is reflects a growth rate much | | | | eight jobs are available. In addition to the strong |
| faster than the average. This information is good | | | | demand for vet techs, a career in this field can be a |
| news, especially to motivated individuals who are | | | | rewarding experience with wide-ranging opportunities. |
| seriously considering a career as veterinary | | | | Veterinary technology is an occupation with an |
| technologists or vet techs. Excellent job opportunities | | | | increasing number of specialized areas. Most vet techs |
| await prospective veterinary technologists as the | | | | work in clinic or hospital settings. They can choose to |
| demand for this occupation is least likely to be | | | | specialize in one type of clinical procedure, such as |
| affected by the recent global economic recession. | | | | anesthesia and surgery, dentistry, diagnostic imaging |
| Animals, whether domesticated or not, are in need of | | | | and laboratory tests and animal training. For those who |
| continuous medical care in spite of the economic | | | | want to work and get involved in animal welfare, |
| slump. | | | | employment in animal shelters can be fulfilling. |
| The demand for vet techs is directly attributed to the | | | | Veterinary technologists could also work in research |
| rapid advancement in veterinary medicine. Pet owners | | | | facilities and assist in the implementation of various |
| and animal caretakers expect nothing but the best | | | | biomedical research and clinical courses. Some can |
| veterinary care using the most advanced and | | | | work as herd health and livestock managers in |
| sophisticated techniques. This is evident by the huge | | | | ranches and farms; others might want to work in zoo |
| amount of money spent by Americans on their pets. In | | | | or wildlife medicine that mainly deals with exotic and |
| 2007, it is estimated that $41.2 billion was spent on | | | | non-domesticated animals. Veterinary technologists |
| animal care and management with 24.5%, or $10.1 | | | | can also find a satisfying career in teaching, military |
| billion, allocated solely to veterinary care. It is believed | | | | service, industrial animal health, diagnostic laboratory, |
| that the cost of pet ownership is expected to increase | | | | and veterinary pharmaceutical sales. In May 2007, the |
| in the coming years. | | | | U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics gave a mean |
| In response to the growing need for veterinary | | | | wage estimate for veterinary technologists of $27,970. |
| technologists, the number of vet tech schools offering | | | | Choosing and building a career around veterinary |
| degree programs has increased over the past few | | | | technology should not be entirely based on the |
| years. In April of 2008, 14 vet tech programs have | | | | occupation's promise and stability as challenges and |
| applied for accreditation by the AVMA. In the first | | | | risks are involved, as well. One should consider their |
| quarter of 2009, there are 154 vet tech programs | | | | genuine interest in encouraging and protecting animals' |
| accredited by the AVMA in the United States. Around | | | | health and welfare. |