RVT or Veterinary assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a RVT or Veterinary assistant make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a RVT or Veterinary assistant in the United States is $118,504 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

However, a RVT or Veterinary assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,897
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,109 to $124,991
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $96,734
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View as table View as graph 25% $107,109 10% $96,734 90% $130,897 75% $124,991 $118,504 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

RVT or Veterinary assistant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $124,991 $10,416 $2,404 $60
Average $118,504 $9,875 $2,279 $57
25th Percentile $107,109 $8,926 $2,060 $51
Check out RVT or Veterinary assistant Job Openings in the United States
Administrative Assistant Veterinary

US Equestrian Fed - Columbus, OH

Veterinary Care Technician

Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

Companion Animal Registered Veterinary Technician Opportunities

Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

Veterinary Care Technician

Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

Search More RVT or Veterinary assistant Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence RVT or Veterinary assistant Salaries

A RVT or Veterinary assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects RVT or Veterinary assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a RVT or Veterinary assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $112,658
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $113,553
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $114,984
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $116,774
  • Expert (over 8 years): $118,981
Levels Salary
Entry Level RVT or Veterinary assistant$112,658
Intermediate Level RVT or Veterinary assistant$113,553
Senior Level RVT or Veterinary assistant$114,984
Specialist Level RVT or Veterinary assistant$116,774
Expert Level RVT or Veterinary assistant$118,981
$112,658 0 yr
$113,553 < 2 yrs
$114,984 2-4 yrs
$116,774 5-8 yrs
$118,981 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do RVT or Veterinary assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract RVT or Veterinary assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $131,208.
  • California: $130,710.
  • Massachusetts: $128,968.

Top Paying Cities for RVT or Veterinary assistants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $149,469
  • San Francisco: $147,833
  • Oakland: $144,717

What Skills Can Increase a RVT or Veterinary assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 6.6% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Internal Medicine (Mentioned in 3.38% Job Postings): Diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.
  • Animal Care (Mentioned in 2.32% Job Postings): Providing animals' physical and mental needs to protect their welfare by treating them all with care.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.6%
Internal Medicine 3.38%
Animal Care 2.32%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a RVT or Veterinary assistant's salary.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Business Acumen: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Client Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Written Communication
$130,354
10%
Business Acumen
$127,984
8%
Client Communications
$125,614
6%
Leadership
$125,614
6%
Patient Care
$125,614
6%
Innovation
$124,429
5%
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RVT or Veterinary assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For RVT or Veterinary assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, RVT or Veterinary assistant positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view RVT or Veterinary assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a RVT or Veterinary assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$189,606$91.060%
Healthcare$165,906$80.040%
MFG Durable$142,205$68.020%

RVT or Veterinary assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a RVT or Veterinary assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for RVT or Veterinary assistant

Salaries for a RVT or Veterinary assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $108,509 in 2023 to around $104,046 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of RVT or Veterinary assistant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of RVT or Veterinary assistant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$108,509
2024
$107,014
2025
$104,046
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $108,509
2024 $107,014
2025 $104,046
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for RVT or Veterinary assistant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for RVT or Veterinary assistant

Here are companies hiring for RVT or Veterinary assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next RVT or Veterinary assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current RVT or Veterinary assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • VCA Animal Hospitals

    Columbus, OH

    VCA Animal Hospitals | Columbus, OH

    Veterinary Technician. At VCA Sawmill Animal Hospital in Columbus, OH. Schedule: Full-time opportunity, with one weekend shift per month. About Our Hospita... more

    5 Days Ago

  • MedVet

    Columbus, OH

    MedVet | Columbus, OH

    Board-Certified Or Residency-Trained Anesthesiologist. MedVet is currently seeking a board-certified or residency-trained anesthesiologist to join our team... more

    9 Days Ago

  • MedVet

    Columbus, OH

    MedVet | Columbus, OH

    Anesthesia Credentialed Veterinary Technician. Offering $3,000 Sign-on bonus. MedVet is a fast-growing Emergency and Specialty provider with practices nati... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Covetrus

    Columbus, OH

    Covetrus | Columbus, OH

    Veterinary Sales Executive. Covetrus is a global animal-health technology and services leader dedicated to empowering veterinary practice partners to drive... more

    5 Days Ago

  • VCA Animal Hospitals

    Columbus, OH

    VCA Animal Hospitals | Columbus, OH

    Technician Supervisor. VCA Sawmill Animal Hospital in Columbus, OH is looking to add a Credentialed Veterinary Technician to our leadership team. About Our... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Banfield Pet Hospital

    Columbus, OH

    Banfield Pet Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Registered Veterinary Technician. This job posting is for the following location(s). Upper Arlington. Columbus SW (Hilliard). The anticipated starting hour... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about RVT or Veterinary assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for RVT or Veterinary assistant?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for RVT or Veterinary assistant roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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