Description
Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.
Interests
- Realistic
- Investigative
- Conventional
Work Values
- Relationships
- Support
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Self-Control
- Cooperation
Tasks
- Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
- Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- Fill medication prescriptions.
- Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Detailed Work Activities
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Technology Skills
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Medical software
- Label making software
- Electronic mail software
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Information Ordering
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Expression
Skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Service Orientation
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Biology
- Administrative
- Medicine and Dentistry
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Assistant Laboratory Animal TechnicianCertifying Organization
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certificate in CardiologyCertifying Organization
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Elanco Veterinary Medical Applications CertificationCertifying Organization
Elanco
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
Diplomate of the ACVR - Veterinary RadiologyCertifying Organization
American College of Veterinary Radiology
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Laboratory Animal TechnologistCertifying Organization
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $29,927 |
| Median (50%) | $35,748 |
| High (90%) | $45,155 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $37,389 |
| Mid Level | $43,921 |
| Senior Level | $45,957 |
| Expert Level | $47,581 |
Employability
There are currently 118,200 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 141,100 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 19%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 19%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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