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

Animal healthcare

Texas employs 16,730 veterinary technicians, with a statewide median of $39,410 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Veterinary technicians Earn in Texas (May 2025)

Texas median pay: $39,410 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $30,320
Experienced (75th percentile): $46,780
Top earners (90th percentile): $54,610
Employed in Texas: 16,730
U.S. median (for comparison): $45,980 (May 2024)

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

Austin: $45,100 (1,870 employed)
Dallas–Fort Worth: $44,360 (4,570 employed)
Houston: $44,110 (3,570 employed)
San Antonio: $39,560 (1,730 employed)
El Paso: $36,240 (250 employed)
McAllen: $35,460 (190 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Texas

Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $39,410 median stretches to roughly $40,587 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)

Texas is projected to grow veterinary technicians employment +27.9%, faster than the +9.1% projected nationally. The state expects about 2,060 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Texas License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) — regulated by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME).

Graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program (about 2 years; alternate routes are not accepted in Texas).
Pass the VTNE (national exam), then the Texas LVT jurisprudence exam (LVTE).
Submit fingerprints and apply through TBVME. Renewal requires 10 CE hours annually.

Official requirements: Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) →

Training in Texas

Texas AVMA-accredited programs include several Alamo Colleges and community college programs plus distance options. Pay is the weak point of this career — love of the work has to carry it; emergency/specialty hospitals in the big metros pay best.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:

Alvin Community College — Associate
Amarillo College — Associate
Angelina College — Associate
Austin Community College District — 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 Texas?

The median wage for veterinary technicians in Texas is $39,410 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $30,320, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $54,610. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), overseen by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME). Graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program (about 2 years; alternate routes are not accepted in Texas).

Is being a Veterinary Technician a good career in Texas?

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

Which Texas metros pay veterinary technicians the most?

Among Texas metro areas, Austin leads at $45,100, followed by Dallas–Fort Worth ($44,360), Houston ($44,110). 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 Texas?

Real Texas options include Alvin Community College, Amarillo College, Angelina College. Most veterinary technicians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Veterinary Technician a growing career in Texas?

Texas projects veterinary technicians employment to change +27.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,060 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), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2056. Licensing summary compiled from the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) (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 Texas wages · Texas 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.