A vet tech and a vet assistant both help veterinarians care for animals, but they are not the same job. Vet techs finish an accredited degree, pass a national exam and register with the state. That extra training lets them do more advanced medical work, and it pays about 24% more. Vet assistants can usually start with a high school diploma and learn on the job.
Here is how the two jobs compare in Missouri, and how to tell which one fits you.
Vet tech vs. vet assistant at a glance
| Veterinary technician | Veterinary assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Associate degree from an AVMA-accredited program | High school diploma, then on-the-job training |
| Exam | Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) | None required |
| Missouri credential | Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) | None required; optional certification |
| Median pay (U.S., May 2025) | $47,380 a year | $38,150 a year |
| Job growth, 2025 to 2035 | 9% | 9% |
| Typical work | Anesthesia, lab tests, X-rays, surgical prep, nursing care | Animal care, feeding, cleaning, restraint, sterilizing equipment |
Pay and growth figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (sources at the end of this post).
What does a vet tech do?
Vet techs are to animals what nurses are to people. Under a veterinarian’s direction, a vet tech may:
- Observe animals and record their condition and case history
- Give nursing care and emergency first aid
- Prepare and monitor animals under anesthesia
- Collect blood, urine and tissue samples and run lab tests
- Take X-rays and other diagnostic images
- Prepare animals and instruments for surgery and assist during procedures
- Give medications, vaccines and treatments the veterinarian prescribes
- Teach owners how to care for their pets at home
What does a vet assistant do?
Vet assistants handle much of the daily animal care that keeps a clinic running. A vet assistant may:
- Feed, bathe and exercise animals
- Hold and restrain animals during exams and treatments
- Clean and disinfect kennels, exam rooms and surgical areas
- Sterilize surgical instruments and equipment
- Monitor animals after surgery and report changes to the vet or vet tech
Many clinics now prefer assistants with some formal training, but a post-secondary program is not required.
Vet tech vs. vet assistant pay
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary technologists and technicians earned a median of $47,380 in May 2025, compared with $38,150 for veterinary assistants. That is about 24% more. The difference comes down to education and credentialing: a vet tech can legally do work an assistant cannot, so clinics pay more for it.
How to become a vet tech in Missouri
- Finish an AVMA-accredited vet tech program. Graduating from an accredited program is what makes you eligible for the national exam.
- Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
- Register with the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).
Which one is right for you?
Choose vet assistant if you want to start working with animals right away and are not ready for school yet. It is a good way to find out if you like clinic work.
Choose vet tech if you want to do the medical side of animal care, earn more and have room to grow into specialties like surgery, dentistry or emergency care. Many vet techs start as assistants and go back to school once they know it is the career for them.
Vet tech training at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½
ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½’s AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technician program earns you an AOS in Veterinary Technology in 64 weeks. You can take it in an online blended format or fully on campus, with hands-on labs with real animals every week at our Earth City campus, near St. Louis. The program prepares you for the VTNE and Missouri registration.
See upcoming start dates or talk to admissions about the next class.
Frequently asked questions
Can a vet assistant become a vet tech?
Yes. A vet assistant becomes a vet tech by finishing an accredited vet tech program, passing the VTNE and registering with the state. Assistant experience is a big help in the program.
Do you need a degree to be a vet assistant?
No. Most vet assistants start with a high school diploma and learn on the job. Optional certification can help you stand out.
How long does it take to become a vet tech?
At ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, the vet tech program takes 64 weeks. After that, you take the VTNE and register with the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board.
