Salary of a Vet Assistant
- MySalary.com puts the annual average salary for a veterinary assistant working in the United States in December 2010 at $26,895. Those with a great deal of experience may be able to achieve a salary of more than $37,000. In all cases, the precise remuneration package will depend on the nature of the employer (government agencies tend to pay the most) and the individual's professional experience.
- The vast majority of vet assistants work in the veterinary services industry. This may be in a veterinary clinic, an office or a hospital. Some assistants may find work in animal shelters, in teaching establishments or in government agencies. They may assist with medical research or the inspection of farm animals.
- There are no specific qualifications required to become a vet assistant. A good high school record in the sciences and mathematics will be an advantage to securing a position. Most training is given on-the-job, progressing from the administrative duties to the more technical, animal care procedures. A vet assistant must have good communication skills, a calm, personable demeanor and the ability to handle emotional and pressurized situations.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for veterinary assistants will continue to rise in the period until 2018, faster than the average rate across all occupations. This is due in part to continually increasing levels of pet ownership in the United States. Veterinary assistants can develop their career, and achieve better salaries, by undertaking training to become a veterinary technician with a broader range of technical surgery skills.
