Below you will find information on how to become a veterinary technician (vet tech) in Kansas (KS) including advice on the top vet tech schools nearest you as well as help with certification and licensing requirements, and income and employment levels for the state.
How to become a Vet Tech in Kansas
If you wish to become a vet tech in Kansas 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 Kansas. As a final step, you will need to obtain your license before securing employment as a veterinary technician.
Top Veterinary Technician Schools in Kansas
| School | Area | Degree Level |
|---|---|---|
| Colby Community College | Colby, KS | Associate of Applied Science |
| Colby Community College | Colby, KS | Associate of Applied Science |
| Independence Community College | Independence, KS | Associate of Applied Science |
| Wichita Area Technical College | Wichita, KS | Associate of Applied Science |
There are currently 4 fully accredited vet tech programs in Kansas.
Programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).
Kansas Vet Tech License
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 Kansas.
The Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners can provide more specific information on all the necessary certification and licensing requirements. You can contact them directly using the contact details below:
Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: 785-564-6610
Email: vetboard@kda.ks.gov
Website: http://agriculture.ks.gov/
Vet Tech Salary Kansas
| Average Vet Tech Salary | $31,580 |
| Hourly Wage | $15.18 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $39,590 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $23,290 |
| #'s Employed | 740 |
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2017) the average veterinary technician salary in Kansas is $31,580 – 9% below the national average of $34,710.
This represents an hourly wage of $15.18.
There are currently 740 persons employed as veterinary technicians in Kansas.
Kansas Vet Tech Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
If a career as a veterinary technician in Kansas 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 Kansas.
| Metro Area | Average Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $34,330 | $40,770 | $24,720 | 550 |
| Lawrence, KS | $30,070 | $39,260 | $16,930 | - |
| Manhattan, KS | $34,600 | $47,350 | $19,600 | 50 |
| Topeka, KS | $30,970 | $38,310 | $21,790 | - |
| Wichita, KS | $29,220 | $35,350 | $25,590 | - |
Vet Tech V’s Related Careers
The first table compares salary and employment data between veterinary technicians and veterinarians and veterinary assistants in Kansas.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech Kansas | $31,580 | 740 |
| Veterinarian Kansas | $84,560 | 780 |
| Vet Assistant Kansas | $26,830 | 910 |
The table below compares average veterinary technician salary and employment in Kansas with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $31,580 | 740 |
| Medical Assistants | $31,160 | 4,740 |
| Nursing Assistants | $25,290 | 22,590 |
| Dental Assistants | $35,610 | 2,860 |
| Ultrasound Tech | $69,530 | 620 |
| X Ray Tech | $62,760 | 270 |