CAREER OUTLOOK

The outlook for veterinary technicians is good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in this field is expected to grow by over 44 percent through the year 2012 -- that is an increase of roughly 23,000 positions. An additional 7,000 positions are also expected to open due to replacement needs.

Many people who never had pets before are acquiring animals both as companions and as protection and security for their homes. This increase in pet ownership is creating a need for the services of animal health care teams. People today are also much more aware of the importance of medical care for their pets. Increasingly, people are taking their animals to a veterinarian for vaccinations, flea, tick, and heartworm control, and other treatments on a routine basis. They are also more willing to pay for advanced care.

Biomedical facilities, diagnostic laboratories, wildlife facilities, humane societies, animal control facilities, drug and food manufacturing companies, and food safety inspection facilities will provide an increasing number of jobs for veterinary technicians. Veterinarians are also increasingly recognizing the value of employing qualified technicians to help them in their practice. As a result, more and more animal clinics and hospitals, shelters, kennels, and human societies are replacing veterinary assistants with more highly skilled technicians. Keen competition is expected for jobs in zoos, however, due to slow growth in zoo capacity, low turnover among workers, the limited number of positions, and the fact that the occupation atracts many candidates.

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