Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other.: The DTI for this program is 68.9%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $22317) to the average debt ($15371) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 68.9%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($22317) against the typical student debt ($15371), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $22317, with grads carrying about $15371 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.69—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 8257 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other (CIP 01.8399) is a specialized field that focuses on advanced clinical support and technical management within animal healthcare. While a standard veterinary technician program covers general nursing, this "Other" category is reserved for niche specializations such as veterinary forensic science, exotic animal nursing, animal rehabilitation, or veterinary anesthesia technology. It is designed for those who want to move beyond general practice into high-intensity or specialized medical environments.
This field is ideal for "technical healers"—individuals who are deeply committed to animal welfare but also possess the precision and steady hands required for complex medical procedures and high-tech diagnostic equipment.
What Is a Veterinary/Animal Health Technology (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on the specialized medical protocols required for specific animal populations or advanced medical disciplines. Because it falls into the "Other" category, these programs often bridge the gap between traditional nursing and specialized science. You might study animal hydrotherapy for recovering equine athletes, the management of high-security laboratory animal facilities, or the technical aspects of wildlife emergency response. It is a path that elevates the role of the technician to a "specialist" level.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Specialty Technicians" for roles in oncology, cardiology, or emergency surgery
- Develop experts in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (MRI, CT, and Ultrasound for animals)
- Prepare professionals for the unique challenges of treating zoo and exotic species
- Address the growing field of animal physical therapy and pain management
What Will You Learn?
Students learn to act as the "eyes and ears" of the veterinarian, mastering the technology that keeps animals alive during critical care.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Administer and monitor complex anesthesia for diverse species, from hamsters to horses
- Operate advanced surgical equipment and assist in sterile operating environments
- Perform specialized laboratory tests, including blood chemistry and cytology
- Use therapeutic equipment like cold lasers, underwater treadmills, and ultrasound
- Master animal restraint and "Fear Free" handling techniques for high-stress patients
- Manage veterinary pharmacy protocols and calculate precise drug dosages
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of clinical medicine, pharmacology, and anatomy:
- Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care: Managing life-threatening trauma and illness.
- Exotic Animal Medicine: The unique biology of birds, reptiles, and "pocket pets."
- Animal Physical Rehabilitation: Helping animals recover mobility after surgery or injury.
- Veterinary Pharmacology: The chemical effects and interactions of drugs in various species.
- Surgical Nursing: Advanced prep and assistance for intricate orthopedic or soft-tissue surgeries.
- Animal Pathophysiology: Understanding how diseases physically alter animal bodies.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles in specialized clinics, research institutions, and large-scale animal facilities.
Common job roles include:
- Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS): Focusing on a specific area like dentistry or anesthesia.
- Animal Rehabilitation Therapist: Designing exercise and recovery plans for injured pets.
- Research Facility Manager: Overseeing the health and welfare of animals in scientific studies.
- Zoo/Aquarium Veterinary Tech: Providing medical care for wild animals in captivity.
- Emergency/ICU Technician: Working in high-speed, 24-hour trauma centers.
- Veterinary Practice Manager: Handling the technical and business operations of a large animal hospital.
Where Can You Work?
Specialists in this field are found in high-level medical and research environments:
- Specialty Referral Hospitals: Working alongside board-certified veterinary surgeons and oncologists.
- University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals: Training future veterinarians while performing cutting-edge care.
- Biomedical Research Labs: Ensuring ethical treatment and medical care for lab animals.
- Zoos and Wildlife Sanctuaries: Working with exotic and endangered species.
- Equine Centers: Focusing on the healthcare of high-value race or performance horses.
How Much Can You Earn?
Salaries for specialized technicians are typically higher than those in general small-animal practice due to the advanced skills required.
- Specialized Veterinary Technicians: Median annual salary of approximately $45,000–$65,000.
- Research Facility Managers: Salaries typically range from $60,000 to $85,000.
- Practice Managers: Median annual salary of around $55,000–$80,000.
- Entry-Level Techs (Specialty): Often start higher than general techs at $40,000–$48,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the emotional and technical intensity. You must be comfortable with medical procedures, blood, and the reality of animal suffering. It requires a high level of mathematical accuracy (one decimal point error in a dosage can be fatal) and the physical stamina to stay on your feet for long shifts. You must also be able to communicate compassionately with distressed pet owners.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love animals but are also fascinated by "the science of medicine"
- Stay calm under pressure during emergencies
- Are a "perfectionist" when it comes to following protocols and calculating numbers
- Want to work with specific animals like horses, snakes, or big cats
- Want a career that is hands-on, fast-paced, and physically active
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, and Algebra
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter or shadowed at a veterinary clinic
- Join a 4-H or FFA chapter focused on small animal or equine care
- Gain experience with as many different types of animals as possible
- Practice your observation skills—notice how animals move and behave when they are healthy versus sick
The ability to combine clinical mastery with a deep devotion to animal health is the hallmark of a successful veterinary technology professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor