Back to the national Veterinary Technician profile

Veterinary Technician in North Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Animal healthcare

North Dakota employs 340 veterinary technicians, with a statewide median of $48,790 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Veterinary technicians Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)

North Dakota median pay: $48,790 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $35,960
Experienced (75th percentile): $55,440
Top earners (90th percentile): $56,980
Employed in North Dakota: 340
U.S. median (for comparison): $45,980 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for veterinary technicians in major North Dakota markets:

Bismarck: $51,390 (50 employed)
Fargo: $49,310 (160 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota

Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $48,790 median stretches to roughly $54,820 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)

North Dakota is projected to grow veterinary technicians employment +16.3%, faster than the +9.1% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Dakota License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) — regulated by the North Dakota Board of Veterinary Medicine.

Graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.
Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
Apply to the North Dakota Board of Veterinary Medicine for LVT licensure.

Official requirements: North Dakota Board of Veterinary Medicine →

Training in North Dakota

High demand at clinics and specialty/ER hospitals. The VTNE is the gateway; confirm the Board's current LVT requirements.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Dakota include:

Dakota College at Bottineau — Associate
North Dakota State College of Science — Associate
Rasmussen University-North Dakota — Associate
Turtle Mountain College — Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want clinical care work outside human healthcare.

Think twice if: Lower pay, emotional cases, animal handling, or client stress would be too much.

Why it's resilient: Vet tech work is hands-on, emotional, clinical, and relationship-driven with animal and owner care.

First Steps

Compare AVMA-accredited vet tech programs and state credentialing rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technicians make in North Dakota?

The median wage for veterinary technicians in North Dakota is $48,790 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $35,960, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $56,980. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Veterinary Technician in North Dakota?

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), overseen by the North Dakota Board of Veterinary Medicine. Graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.

Is being a Veterinary Technician a good career in North Dakota?

Vet tech work is hands-on, emotional, clinical, and relationship-driven with animal and owner care.

Which North Dakota metros pay veterinary technicians the most?

Among North Dakota metro areas, Bismarck leads at $51,390, followed by Fargo ($49,310). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Veterinary Technician in North Dakota?

Real North Dakota options include Dakota College at Bottineau, North Dakota State College of Science, Rasmussen University-North Dakota. Most veterinary technicians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Veterinary Technician a growing career in North Dakota?

North Dakota projects veterinary technicians employment to change +16.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), North Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2056. Licensing summary compiled from the North Dakota Board of Veterinary Medicine (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET North Dakota wages · North Dakota licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.