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Animal Health Technologist, Registered Animal Health Technologist, Registered Veterinary Technologist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Veterinary technologists provide a broad range of clinical and technical animal health services as part of the veterinary team. They apply their education and technical skills to support patient care under the supervision of a veterinarian.
In general, veterinary technologists:
Obtain informed consent from animal owners
Collect and prepare lab samples for diagnostic testing
Perform routine and advanced lab tests
Produce diagnostic images including x-rays, ultrasound, CT, or MRI
Prepare, calculate, and dispense prescribed medicine
Give medications, treatments, fluids, and vaccinations
Receive and triage animals, and prepare them for examination, treatment, or surgery
Perform a comprehensive physical examination
Monitor and assess clinical signs and patient status
Help with procedures and surgeries
Administer and monitor anesthesia
Provide post-operative nursing care
Provide first aid, wound care, or emergency and critical-care support
Perform dental cleanings and other oral health procedures
Provide rehabilitation therapies and other advanced therapeutic techniques
Support livestock breeding and herd health management programs
Provide animal behaviour consultation and related support programs
Provide palliative and end-of-life care
Educate clients and livestock producers about animal health, nutrition, behaviour, and disease prevention
Follow radiation safety and quality control procedures
Set up, clean, maintain, and sterilize medical tools and equipment
Manage pharmaceutical and medical supply inventory
Maintain medical records and required documentation
Support programs related to food animal health, food safety, biosecurity, and public health
Most veterinary technologists work in:
Veterinary clinics
Hospitals
Laboratories
Research facilities
Animal shelters
Animal welfare organizations
Others work in agricultural settings such as:
Farms
Stockyards
Feedlots
Livestock production operations
Work hours may include evenings, weekends, and nights. Veterinary technologists may be on call or work overtime during emergencies.
The work can be physically and emotionally demanding. Veterinary technologists need to be compassionate and resilient.
Veterinary technologists sometimes work around strong, unpleasant odours or sights. They may be involved in animal welfare cases.
Veterinary technologists must follow established safety protocols. Workplace hazards may include:
Contact with dangerous animals
Exposure to radiation, biohazards, anesthetics (gases), and zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to humans
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
2023 OaSIS: 32104.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Veterinary technologists need:
Confidence working with animals of all sizes and species
Empathy and compassion toward animals, clients and colleagues
Integrity, professionalism, and sound ethical judgement
Manual dexterity and attention to detail
Organizational and record keeping skills
Good physical health and stamina
Communication skills
Critical thinking, risk assessment, and problem-solving skills
The ability to work well with people
The ability to work well as part of a team
The ability to recognize and prevent avoidable distress, injury, or suffering
The ability to reflect on their work, seek guidance when needed, and apply feedback
A strong interest in medicine, science, and technology
A commitment to the humane treatment of animals
Respect for regulations and professional standards
They should enjoy:
Having clear rules and organized work methods
Performing diagnostic, and technical procedures
Interacting with clients in a respectful manner
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 53 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 06, 2021 and Apr 20, 2026.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Handle, restrain and care for animals undergoing treatment and surgery | 35 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Administer treatments as prescribed by veterinarian | 34 |
| Tasks: Prepare and administer medications and vaccines under direction of veterinarian | 32 |
| Tasks: Assist veterinarian before, during and after surgery | 31 |
| Tasks: Provide wound and bandage care | 31 |
| Tasks: Provide nursing care and rehabilitation therapy for animals | 26 |
| Tasks: Perform routine animal dental procedures and assist veterinarians with animal dentistry | 25 |
| Attention to detail | 23 |
| Tasks: Conduct and assist in laboratory research | 20 |
| Tasks: Counsel clients on animal health care | 19 |
As a minimum, veterinary technologists must have a 2-year animal health technology or veterinary technology diploma accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) or American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Before enrolling in any program, prospective students should ensure the program is accredited and recognized across Canada.
To maintain registration, registered veterinary technologists must complete 20 hours of continuing education every year.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Veterinary technologists provide medical support for companion (pet), livestock (farm), and zoo animals, as well as wildlife. As part of the veterinary care team, they help to prevent, assess, and treat animal health conditions.
Under Alberta’s Veterinary Profession Act [pdf] and Veterinary Profession General Regulation [pdf], registration with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) is mandatory. Only registered members may:
Work as a veterinary technologist under the supervision of a registered veterinarian
Use the titles registered veterinary technologist (RVT) or registered animal health technologist
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Veterinary Technologist.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Veterinary technologists work for:
Veterinary practices
Zoos, wildlife parks, and wildlife rehabilitation centres
Animal welfare organizations and humane societies
Law enforcement
Biomedical research labs
Government departments
Food inspection agencies (see the Agricultural Commodity Inspector occupational profile)
Companies that sell animal care or pharmaceutical supplies
Farms and feedlots
Post-secondary schools
Horse training facilities
Advancement generally takes the form of more complex duties or management tasks. Veterinary technologists can also pursue specialized training or Veterinary Technician Specialist status in a designated field such as:
Anesthesia
Behaviour
Clinical pathology
Clinical practice
Dentistry
Emergency and critical care
Internal medicine
Laboratory animals
Rehabilitative therapy
Zoological medicine
Veterinary technologists may pursue careers in education, industry, and government. These roles can include technical services and sales for diagnostic, pharmaceutical, and medical supply companies. They may also find positions with regulatory agencies and public health organizations.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
2016 NOC: 3213
84.8% of people in this occupational group work in:
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
At the same time, population growth and rising demand for pet and livestock care are contributing to a growing workforce shortage in both urban and rural areas. As a result, demand for veterinary technologists continues to grow.
The average overall wage for veterinary technologists in Alberta is $29.66 an hour (Source: Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association, 2024 Wage & Benefit Report).
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data. Examples of wage sources may include but are not limited to associations, government, schools, or unions. Not all sources may be available for every occupation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.00 | $28.00 | $22.15 | $22.00 |
| Overall | $19.00 | $32.87 | $25.57 | $26.50 |
| Top | $20.00 | $40.00 | $29.64 | $30.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $47,812 |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $47,845 |
| Public Administration | $68,036 |
Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) website: www.abvma.ca
Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA) website: www.abvta.com
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) website: www.avma.org
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) website: www.canadianveterinarians.net
Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) website: rvttcanada.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2026. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
