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Salary comparison

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess out-earn Veterinary Technologists and Technicianss by $17K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Veterinary Technologists and Technicianss land at $47,380 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess at $64,400. The education gap is real: veterinary technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Veterinary Technologists and Technicianss is District of Columbia ($61,270); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess it's Washington ($83,150).

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$47,380
$64,400
Hourly rate
$22.78/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$35,710
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$63,180
$83,440
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
129,140
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Veterinary Technologists and Technicians median pay.

State
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
District of Columbia
$61,270
$75,740
California
$60,630
$79,750
Washington
$59,740
$83,150
Oregon
$55,810
$80,470
Connecticut
$50,950
$73,690
Nevada
$50,250
$76,160
Colorado
$49,650
$73,880
Massachusetts
$49,540
$80,220
New Jersey
$49,050
$75,160
New Hampshire
$48,780
$77,110
Maryland
$47,350
$74,660
Alaska
$46,480
$80,800
Illinois
$46,440
$75,000
Arizona
$46,300
$77,070
Rhode Island
$45,310
$80,090

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Veterinary Technologists and Technicianss or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess earn more nationally. The median is $47,380 for Veterinary Technologists and Technicianss versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess, a difference of $17K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Veterinary Technologists and Technicianss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Veterinary Technologists and Technicianss at $61,270/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Veterinary Technologists and Technicians vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Veterinary Technologists and Technicianss earn $61,270 vs. $75,740 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by take-home payExplore →How to become a veterinary technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →