In this Article
By: All Allied Health Staff
Veterinary technicians in Massachusetts enjoy a favorable professional environment due to the state’s strong emphasis on healthcare and education. The state offers competitive salaries and ample job opportunities, particularly in urban areas like Boston, where there is a high demand for veterinary services. Some reasons to consider Massachusetts as your vet tech education or career destination are:
- Massachusetts is home to several renowned veterinary schools and research institutions, providing vet techs with opportunities for advanced education and specialization in fields such as veterinary surgery, internal medicine and exotic animal care.
- The state’s commitment to animal welfare and its numerous animal hospitals and clinics create a supportive environment for professional growth.
- Massachusetts is involved in cutting-edge veterinary research and access to continuing education programs, which can enhance a vet tech’s skills and career prospects.
Quick view of Massachusetts vet techs
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says there are 3,190 people employed as veterinary technicians and technologists in Massachusetts. The median wage per hour is $23 and the forecasted job growth for the coming decade is 9.1%, considerably higher than the job growth rate for all other career fields combined, said the BLS.
In Massachusetts veterinary offices, vet techs primarily perform a range of tasks essential to animal care and clinic operations. Their responsibilities include:
- Providing direct care to animals, including monitoring vital signs, administering medications and assisting with feeding and grooming.
- Conducting diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, urinalysis and fecal exams, to help diagnose medical conditions.
- Assisting veterinarians during surgical procedures by preparing surgical instruments, monitoring anesthesia and ensuring a sterile environment.
- Taking and developing X-rays to aid in the diagnosis of injuries and illnesses.
- Educating pet owners on proper animal care, explaining treatment plans and providing instructions for post-operative care.
- Maintaining detailed records of patient histories, treatments and progress.
- Assisting in emergency situations, providing immediate care and stabilizing animals in critical condition.
- Performing dental cleanings and assisting with dental procedures under the supervision of a veterinarian.
These employers are known for their comprehensive services and commitment to high-quality veterinary care, making them attractive workplaces for vet techs seeking diverse and challenging roles in Massachusetts:
- Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital (MVRH), Woburn MA:
- MVRH is a large specialty and emergency hospital offering advanced veterinary care, providing numerous opportunities for vet techs in specialty areas such as oncology, surgery and internal medicine.
- Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston, MA:
- Angell is one of the oldest and most prestigious veterinary hospitals in the country. It offers comprehensive services, including emergency care, specialty services and general practice, employing a significant number of vet techs.
- Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties (Tufts VETS), Walpole, MA:
- Tufts VETS is affiliated with Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and offers a range of specialty and emergency services, providing extensive opportunities for vet techs.
- Boston Veterinary Clinic, Greater Boston area, MA:
- With multiple locations in the Greater Boston area, this clinic focuses on general practice and wellness care, offering employment for vet techs in a busy urban setting.
- BluePearl Pet Hospital, Boston, Waltham and multiple locations, MA:
- With several locations in Massachusetts, BluePearl provides emergency and specialty veterinary services, offering vet techs the chance to work in high-intensity, advanced medical environments.
Salary quick stats
While the median national salary for vet technicians and technologists—is just over $45,980 a year, pay may vary depending upon several factors, including where you work and live in Massachusetts, how much experience you have, what certifications you have earned, and your level of education.
Median veterinary technician salary in Massachusetts
The median annual salary for vet techs in Massachusetts is $47,130, which means its median wage is higher than the national median established by the BLS. It’s important to note, however, that salaries may vary based on location within the state. The salary widget below provides the median national wage along with data for different metro areas in Massachusetts, listed by highest paying first.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
10%$38,560
25%$43,780
50%$47,130Median
75%$55,880
90%$59,020
Median Hourly Wage$23
Job growth9.1%
Total Employment3,900
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $49,120 | $39,370 | $58,300 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $47,840 | $38,770 | $60,880 |
| Worcester, MA | $47,780 | $38,980 | $57,810 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $46,410 | $38,650 | $59,060 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $45,420 | $38,070 | $57,570 |
| Springfield, MA | $45,310 | $38,100 | $57,110 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Salary range for Massachusetts vet techs
The salary range for vet techs in Massachusetts typically spans from $38,560 to $59,020 per year. This accounts for entry-level positions and more senior-level technologist and specialist roles and takes into consideration other factors such as experience, education and time in the position.
A word about vet technicians and technologists and why salaries may differ:
Veterinary technologists are similar to vet techs, but there’s a difference in terms of education needed to do the job. Veterinary technologists hold a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology, which may provide more opportunities to advance in the field. Consequently, technologists may earn more than technicians, who hold an associate degree, and technicians may choose to advance to technologist roles by completing two additional years of school and earning a bachelor’s.
Pay by metro area within Massachusetts
Your earning level may depend upon where you live within a state. For example, cities tend to pay better than rural or less populated areas. In Massachusetts, the greater Boston region includes the city of Boston and its surrounding suburbs, such as Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton and Quincy. The dense population and high demand for veterinary services in this urban area support a large number of veterinary hospitals, clinics and specialty centers, so pay may be more competitive. That said, here’s what the BLS reports as highest paying cities in the U.S.
Not surprisingly, California’s metro areas dominate the list, along with Washington state cities. No Massachusetts metro areas make the top 10 for vet tech pay, but the BLS says that the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH metro area ranks number eight in The U.S. for highest employment of veterinary technicians and technologists.
Salary growth and job outlook
The job outlook for veterinary technicians in Massachusetts is positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow at 9.1%, much faster than the average for all other occupations. Factors contributing to this growth include:
- Increased pet ownership: More households are adopting pets, leading to a higher demand for veterinary services.
- Advancements in veterinary medicine: New medical technologies and treatments for animals require skilled vet techs to operate and assist in these advanced procedures.
- Expansion of veterinary practices: Many veterinary practices are expanding their services to include specialties such as oncology, cardiology and physical rehabilitation, creating more opportunities for vet techs.
Factors affecting vet tech salaries in Massachusetts
Several factors can impact a veterinary technician’s salary in Massachusetts, some of which are common across the profession, while others may be more unique to the state:
- Experience:
- As with most professions, vet techs with more years of experience tend to earn higher salaries. This includes experience in various specialties and advanced procedures.
- Education and certifications:
- Holding advanced certifications, such as becoming a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in a particular area of veterinary medicine—anesthesia, dentistry, emergency and critical care—may significantly increase a vet tech’s earning potential.
- Employer type:
- Salaries can vary based on the type of veterinary practice. Specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals often pay more than general practice clinics due to the advanced skills required.
- Geographic location:
- Urban areas, particularly the Greater Boston area, may offer higher salaries due to the higher cost of living and greater demand for veterinary services.
- Shift and hours worked:
- Working night shifts, weekends, or overtime can lead to higher pay. Emergency and 24-hour veterinary hospitals often offer shift differentials for these less desirable hours.
Factors that may affect salaries but are unique to Massachusetts include:
- Presence of prominent institutions:
- Working at institutions like Angell Animal Medical Center or Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties (Tufts VETS) may offer higher salaries and additional benefits due to their reputations and funding.
- Higher cost of living:
- Massachusetts, particularly the Boston area, has a high cost of living. Employers in these areas often offer higher salaries to attract and retain qualified staff, although this may not necessarily translate to a higher standard of living compared to other states with lower costs of living.
- Research opportunities:
- Proximity to top veterinary schools and research institutions may offer unique opportunities for vet techs to participate in research projects or pursue further education, potentially leading to higher salaries and career advancement.
- Specialization in advanced medical fields:
- Massachusetts is known for its cutting-edge medical facilities, including those for veterinary care. Vet techs who specialize in advanced fields like oncology, cardiology or exotic animal care may find more opportunities for higher pay due to the specialized skills required.
- Unions:
- Some vet techs in Massachusetts may work in environments where there are unions or collective bargaining agreements in place, which may lead to better salaries and working conditions compared to non-unionized workplaces.
How can I know if I am being paid fairly as a vet tech in Massachusetts?
To ensure you are being paid correctly in Massachusetts, here are a few things to consider to find out if your compensation aligns with industry standards:
- Do your research: Compare your salary with industry benchmarks and data from reputable sources like the BLS or salary surveys.
- Ask recruiters: Sites like Indeed, Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter specialize in aggregating salaries from all over the country.
- Network: Engage with professionals in vet tech professional groups to gain insights into salary trends and peer levels of pay.
- Talk to your manager or HR: Sit down and have a discussion about compensation, job titles, duties, benefits and your value to your employer. If another vet tech is making more for performing the same duties, try and understand why and the reasoning behind the disparity.
- Negotiate: Advocate for fair compensation based on your skills, experience, specialties you hold and market value.
- Know your rights: Familiarize yourself with Massachusetts labor laws and regulations, such as the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act, which says that employers cannot discriminate against employees because of their gender when deciding and paying wages. A new revision of this law went into effect in 2018.
- File a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office: If all else fails and you believe your employer has broken a law, you can file a complaint with the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General. You can file a complaint online or call the office.
Education and training
The education and certification requirements for vet techs in Massachusetts align closely with national standards. Completing an AVMA-accredited program, passing the VTNE and obtaining state certification are common requirements across most states. Here are the key requirements:
- Education: Vet techs must complete an accredited veterinary technology program. These programs are typically two-year associate degree programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Some may choose to pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology, though this is less common.
- Certification: After completing an accredited program, aspiring vet techs must pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), which is a standardized exam used across the United States.
- State licensing: There are no official licensing requirements for vet techs in the state, although the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure does define what a vet tech can and cannot do without direct supervision by a veterinarian.
- Continuing education: Certified veterinary technicians (CVTs) in Massachusetts are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education every calendar year to maintain their certification.
Requirements in Boston
Boston does not have different educational requirements for vet techs compared to the rest of Massachusetts. However, due to the city’s high profile and the presence of prestigious veterinary institutions, vet techs in Boston may find additional opportunities for specialization, advanced training and continuing education. Working in high-profile or specialized veterinary hospitals may also come with higher expectations for experience and skills, but the fundamental education and certification requirements remain the same.
Cost of living considerations
The cost of living for vet techs in Massachusetts is high, especially in major urban areas such as Boston. Housing alone is 112% higher than the national average, with transportation, food, healthcare and utilities also higher than the national averages.
RentCafe says the cost of living in Massachusetts is 48% higher than the national average. Here are comparative costs of living for some Massachusetts cities, all of which have a higher cost of living than the national average:
| Massachusetts city | Cost of living (versus the national average) |
|---|---|
| Boston | 47% higher |
| Nantucket | 139% higher |
| Framingham | 36% higher |
| Leominster | 14% higher |
| Pittsfield | 2% higher |
Massachusetts professional associations for vet techs
These groups provide valuable resources, networking opportunities and continuing education for vet techs in Massachusetts, helping to enhance their careers and professional development.
Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association (MVTA): The MVTA is a professional organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the veterinary technician profession in Massachusetts. It offers continuing education opportunities, professional development resources and advocacy for vet techs within the state.
Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA): The MVMA is dedicated to the advancement and protection of the veterinary medical profession in Massachusetts by enhancing the human-animal bond, supporting legislative advocacy and providing excellence in continuing education.
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This vet tech salary guide for Massachusetts strives to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the salary landscape and key information regarding the profession. Use this guide as a starting point to make informed decisions about your career path, negotiating salaries and for setting realistic expectations for your educational and professional future.