Best Vet Tech Schools In Illinois – 2023

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Browse below to learn how to become a veterinary technician (vet tech) in Illinois (IL) including advice on top schools near you, certification and licensing requirements, salary and employment data.

How to become a Veterinary Technician in Illinois

Licensing, certification and registration requirements for veterinary technicians vary by state.

If you wish to become a vet tech in Illinois it is a requirement that you have graduated from an accredited veterinary technician/technology program.

Once you have graduated from an accredited program you will need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) exams – which are administered by the American Association of Veterinary – if you wish to work as a vet tech in Illinois. You will then need to obtain your license before securing employment as a veterinary technician.

Accredited Vet Tech Programs in Illinois

SchoolAreaMore Information
Black Hawk CollegeGalva, IL Program Page
Joliet Junior CollegeJoliet, IL Program Page
Parkland CollegeChampaign, IL Program Page
Rockford Career CollegeRockford, IL Program Page
Vet Tech Institute at Fox CollegeTinley Park, IL Program Page

There are currently 5 accredited veterinary technician programs in Illinois.

Programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).

 

Illinois Vet Tech Licensing Requirements

Once you have successfully graduated from an accredited program and passed all necessary certification examinations you will need to apply for your veterinary technician license in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation can provide more specific information on all the necessary certification and licensing requirements. You can contact them directly using the contact details below:

Address: 320 West Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62786
Phone: 217-785-0800
Email: robert.gerton@illinois.gov
Website: http://ilga.gov

Vet Tech Salary Illinois

Average Vet Tech Salary$35,290
Hourly Wage$16.97
Top 10% of Earners$50,540
Bottom 10% of Earners$25,560
#'s Employed4,040

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2017) the average veterinary technician salary in Illinois is $35,290 – 2% above the national average of $34,710.

This represents an hourly wage of $16.97.

There are currently 4,040 persons employed as veterinary technicians in Illinois.

Illinois Vet Tech Employment and Salaries by Metro Area

If a career as a veterinary technician in Illinois strongly appeals to you then it is a great time to pursue your dreams. The demand for vet techs has been steadily on the increase over the last ten years and is projected to grow by 14.7% over the coming years with an additional 14,330 jobs predicted to be created in the sector between 2016 and 2024.

The table below details salary and employment levels of veterinary technicians in the main towns and cities in Illinois.

Metro AreaAverage SalaryTop 10%Bottom 10%# Employed
Carbondale-Marion, IL$27,900$37,430$20,980-
Champaign-Urbana, IL$36,700$48,590$27,170240
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL$36,940$52,400$26,6802,180
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL$35,960$50,660$26,2502,940
Elgin, IL$31,330$39,760$24,240190
Lake County-Kenosha County, IL$34,710$48,710$24,900430
Peoria, IL$31,070$43,900$20,430170
Rockford, IL$28,240$35,690$21,580-
Springfield, IL$28,810$32,800$24,250-

Vet Tech V’s Related Careers

The first table compares salary and employment data between veterinary technicians and veterinarians and veterinary assistants in Illinois.

Salary# Employed
Vet Tech Illinois$35,2904,040
Veterinarian Illinois$96,4402,800
Vet Assistant Illinois$27,7802,360

The table below compares average veterinary technician salary and employment in Illinois with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.

Salary# Employed
Vet Tech$35,2904,040
Medical Assistants$34,71019,890
Nursing Assistants$27,77061,390
Dental Assistants$39,03012,710
X Ray Tech$70,5801,570
Ultrasound Tech$74,3402,740