Veterinary technicians highlight title protection, role definition, low salary as key issues

Title protection, low salary, role definition, and compassion fatigue were among top industry concerns, according to the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America’s (NAVTA) 2024 Demographic Survey results, released on April 3.

The survey revealed four overarching themes: professional credentials and identity, income and job satisfaction, role clarity and workload, and wellness and industry outlook.

Among 1,404 respondents, 83% were credentialed veterinary technicians, with most having graduated from programs accredited by the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.

“The 2024 Demographic Survey highlights the critical importance of professional credentials and a unified identity for veterinary technicians,” NAVTA President Beckie Mossor told AVMA News. “It’s clear that our community is deeply invested in ensuring our profession is clearly defined, consistently regulated, and respected at a national level.”

Title protection

Specifically, 90% of respondents agreed having a nationally recognized credential is important, with 73% strongly agreeing. In addition, 93% either agreed or strongly agreed that protecting the “veterinary technician” title for professionals with credentials is important to ensure only those who meet the requirements may use it.

The report called for clearer career pathways and enhanced public understanding of the veterinary technician’s role.

Meanwhile, preferences for a professional prefix were split, with 33% favoring “licensed” and 24% favoring “registered,” while 28% did not have a strong preference.

More definitively, 60% of respondents indicated they did not support the midlevel practitioner or veterinary professional associate (VPA) position. And while 24% showed “some support” for those positions, only 7% indicated they may pursue a degree in those programs.

“In summary, the first significant insight from the survey is that the veterinary technician community is deeply invested in bolstering its professional identity,” the report said. “The data illustrate a field that is actively working to secure its legitimacy and status in the broader healthcare and animal care sectors.”

Low salary and role clarity

Low income remained a major challenge, similar to past years, despite a general upward trend of wage growth.

The average reported annual gross income was $53,759, with the average hourly rate increasing to $32.89 from $26.50 in 2022.

The averages reflected about a 3.4% increase across almost a three-year period. Despite the uptick, however, about 39% of respondents cited low pay as the most challenging aspect of the profession while 56% identified it as the most significant issue facing veterinary technicians.

Clear job definition and role delineation also emerged as a top concern among veterinary technicians. About 48% of respondents perceived little differentiation between the responsibilities of credentialed veterinary technicians versus their noncredentialed counterparts.

“This area of role clarity and workload is critical not only from the standpoint of day-to-day operations but also in terms of long-term career satisfaction and professional development,” the report stated. “When specialized training is not recognized or adequately utilized, it can contribute to feelings of stagnation and frustration. In the context of a profession that is already grappling with issues such as low income and burnout, the lack of clear, differentiated roles can further exacerbate the challenges that veterinary technicians face.”

Other findings

Among other findings, the report, which also mentioned wellness-related issues, revealed widespread compassion fatigue.

“One of the most noteworthy findings from the survey is the significant prevalence of compassion fatigue among veterinary technicians, with 88% of respondents experiencing it at some point,” Mossor said. “This underscores the emotional and mental demands of the profession and highlights the urgent need for comprehensive wellness programs.”

Overall, while about 61% of respondents reported job satisfaction in general, the percentage of those who identified as “extremely satisfied” declined from 25% in 2022 to 8% in 2024.

Mossor flagged the downturn, saying, “These insights are both concerning and indicative of areas where we must focus our efforts to support the wellbeing and professional growth of our workforce.”

What’s more, broader economic conditions alongside evolving industry practices, such as the increasing influence of corporate veterinary practices, are expected to further complicate the professional landscape going forward, according to the report.

It goes on to say that addressing the many issues veterinary technicians face will require coordinated efforts by professional associations, educational institutions, and employers alike.

“Enhancing compensation, clarifying roles, and instituting comprehensive wellness programs will help ensure that veterinary technicians are not only recognized for their expertise but also supported in their professional journeys,” the report concluded.

A version of this story appears in the June 2025 print issue of JAVMA