Vet techs in Maine must have a minimum of an associate degree.
A veterinary practice relies on veterinary technicians to assist the animal doctors with examinations, treatments, surgery and laboratory analysis. Most vet techs work in clinics and hospitals focusing on companion animals, primarily dogs and cats. Others find employment at animal shelters, zoos and research labs. The average pay for a vet tech in Maine varies considerably by location, but generally is in line with the national average for this occupation.
Job Features
During examinations, a veterinary technician checks the pet's temperature and heart rate, draws blood, and sometimes collects urine samples. She takes and processes X-rays, and analyzes specimens in the lab. The vet tech restrains animals while the veterinarian conducts examinations and administers treatments. She administers injections and oral medication, and applies wound dressings. She also cleans the pet's teeth and assists during other dental procedures. During surgery, she hands instruments and materials to the veterinarian. Job listings show that some veterinary technicians do clerical work such as greeting clients and answering phones, and updating patient records on the computer.
Salary by Experience
The median nationwide starting pay for veterinary technicians was $8.90 to $12 per hour as of December 2010, according to the PayScale salary survey website. Vet techs with one to four years of experience were earning a median range of $9.90 to $13.20 per hour. In Maine, veterinary technicians must be licensed to practice. This requires completing a minimum of a two-year associate degree in an accredited program or an equivalent as determined by the state board of veterinary medicine. The graduate also must pass an examination prescribed by this board.
Comparisons
The national average pay for vet techs as of 2010 was about $35,200 annually, with the middle 50 percent on the earnings scale at $29,200 to $49,900, CBSalary's website states. Cities in Maine had a wide range of average salaries for vet techs. Vet techs in Bangor, for instance, were making about $32,800 per year, while vet techs in Presque Isle had an average salary of nearly $42,000. Vet techs in Augusta and Waterville had average pay of $35,000, in Portland $37,000 and in Farmington $41,200.
Considerations
Many veterinary technicians work part time, and only about half of employed vet techs report receiving health insurance and other benefits. Full-time jobs are most likely to provide benefits; and one sample job listing shows the veterinary practice providing paid vacation, five paid holidays, a company-contributed health insurance plan and a retirement plan. Ninety-one percent of vet techs are women, as noted by PayScale. Only 24 percent of vet techs stick with this career 10 years or more, and only 5 percent stay with it 20 years or more.
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