32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
Lead statement
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians provide technical support to veterinarians by caring for animals and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health disorders. Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
Main duties
- Provide nursing care and rehabilitation therapy for animals
- Handle, restrain and care for animals undergoing treatment and surgery
- Produce radiographs, collect and analyse samples and perform other laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis of animal health problems
- Assist veterinarian with animals before, during and following surgery by preparing surgical equipment, administering and monitoring anaesthetics and cleaning up after surgery
- Prepare and administer medications and vaccines under direction of a veterinarian
- Administer treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian
- Provide wound and bandage care
- Conduct specialized procedures such as animal identification and hoof trimming
- Educate and advise clients on animal health care including nutrition and home care
- Assist in laboratory research
- Perform routine animal dental procedures and assist veterinarians with animal dentistry
- May perform a variety of office management and clerical duties.
Employment requirements
- Completion of a two- or three-year animal health/veterinary technology college program is required.
- Successful completion of a national registration examination may be required in some employment settings.
- Registration with provincial animal health technologists' or veterinary technicians' associations is available, and is mandatory in some provinces.
Example job titles
veterinary technician · animal health technician · animal operating room attendant · veterinarian assistant · veterinary laboratory technician · laboratory animal technician · animal care technician · animal health technologist · registered veterinary technician (RVT) · animal care technologist · veterinary technologist · laboratory animal technologist · registered animal health technologist (RAHT) · veterinary technician supervisor · animal health technologist supervisor · animal health technician - agriculture
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $17.00 | $23.00 | $33.16 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $17.07 | $18.50 | $29.87 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $21.50 | $27.75 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $20.00 | $23.50 |
| Quebec | $18.90 | $23.00 | $31.00 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $22.00 | $33.04 |
| Manitoba | $16.50 | $24.00 | $30.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $16.50 | $25.00 | $32.00 |
| Alberta | $17.00 | $24.00 | $37.00 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $23.00 | $33.17 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.