A person who is working toward a bachelor’s degree in veterinary studies may want to know what the career outlook is. This is important to know for purposes of choosing a major and concentration. A person who wants to plan for their professional and financial future should consider the career outlook by industry of employment as well as the geographic location of the job.
Current Employment Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects employment data on all occupations. A person with a bachelor’s degree in veterinary studies may become licensed to work as a veterinary technician or technologist. Each state has a slightly different requirement about the registration, license or certification required to be a veterinary technician or technologist. As of May 2018, there were about 109,100 people employed in these occupations.
Expected Growth in Employment
The BLS estimates that there will be a 19 percent rate of growth in veterinary technologist and technician jobs between 2018 and 2028. This rate of growth is much faster than the national average of six percent for all occupations. The growth will yield an estimated 21,000 new jobs for people with a degree in veterinary studies. The BLS states that this fast rate of growth may be due to veterinarians having technicians and technologists provide general animal care and lab work on family pets, wildlife and domesticated or farm animals. For example, instead of having the veterinarian do the weighing and toenail clipping for a dog, they may delegate this task to the technician. This frees the veterinarian to handle more complex procedures and tests.
Highest Concentration of Jobs
When considering the career outlook in veterinary studies, it is a good idea to examine the places in the United States with the most jobs for veterinary technicians and technologists. The five states with the highest concentration of veterinary technician and technologist jobs include Vermont, Colorado, New Hampshire, Maryland and Maine. The five metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs for veterinary technologists and technicians are Corvallis, Oregon; College Station, Texas; Ithaca, New York; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Auburn, Alabama.
Related Resource: 15 Best Affordable Veterinary Studies Degree Programs
Top Industries of Employment
Most veterinary technicians and technologists work for private animal clinics and hospitals. These are usually small businesses, and they may be independent or a chain. A few veterinary technicians and technologists are employed at colleges, universities and vocational schools. They may teach veterinary studies to others. They may also work in the university’s school of veterinary medicine. Universities with a veterinary school typically operate a clinic. Some veterinary technologists and technicians work in animal research. Another industry of employment for veterinary technicians and technologists is social advocacy, but only three percent are employed in this industry.
Knowing how much in demand a degree in veterinary studies will be could make the difference in stopping at a bachelor’s degree or going on for a master’s or doctoral degree in veterinary medicine. The demand for veterinary technologists and technicians, who typically have a bachelor’s degree in veterinary studies, should be an important consideration before choosing a major. Understanding what the career outlook in veterinary studies is facilitates planning for the future.
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