Vet assistant salary desired question

When applying for a job as a vet assistant (not a licensed tech), what kind of range should be put down for salary desired? I've looked at job postings for vet assistants in my area and the ones that list hourly wage have it at $13-$16/hr, which seems too high. It appears that the average pay for vet assistants in the U.S. is between $8-$13/hr. So, I don't want to put something too low or too high. I was thinking of putting $8-$16/hr - negotiable.

From what I've read, if I put a figure too low, I could end up getting paid too low. If I put something too high, they might laugh at me and may not even consider me for the job.

So I really don't know what to put. I know there are vet assistants and techs here. Please give me advice. And for those who may not know, a vet assistant does not require anything more than a high school education where a vet tech must take and pass an AVMA accredited college program and pass the state Vet Tech exams. So techs make more money than assistants.

Area affects cost of living and wages. That's why you see the wide range. Try sharing your location if you want anyone to at least be able to give you a ballpark range.

Where I live cost of living is near the lowest in the country, thus me telling you that a starting assistant makes $8, if they're lucky, may not be the same for your area.

I am a non-licensed (as of yet) vet tech assistant. And, I live in northeastern Ohio. I will say that the salaries can vary a lot where this type of position is concerned. And, a lot of that has to do with the skills you have and what you bring to the table as a potential employee. Part of the reason it ranges so much is that certain areas do not require vet techs to be registered or licensed. And, in other areas, it is mandatory -- thus making those who are not licensed a vet tech assistant. Also, since there are MANY duties assigned to a vet tech assistant, the salary range would be determined by what the job description is as well as the experience you have. I know it all seems quite confusing, but that is often the case.

I would prefer not to list too much information here about what I get paid, but you are more than welcome to PM me. As I said, I am in the profession and am a vet tech assistant. If you have an idea of what the job will entail and you'd like to post that here, I can offer suggestions based on what I know to be the case within the demographic I live. I can also give some insight as to what I deal with on a day to day basis. Do you know what duties you'd be expected to handle? I can discuss more about what I do, but I don't want to hijack this post without knowing that you'd like that specific information.

So, if you have more specific data, I can help with suggestions (from personal experience) regarding salary and job responsibilities to expect. And, that wouldn't be a problem for me to post here. But, if you'd solely like to know what I make, I'd prefer to handle that via PM. Either way, good luck. It's been an amazing opportunity for me and I can honestly say that I LOVE my job. But, that being said, it is not simple by any means. I'd love to share more, but I'll let you and others decide if they want to hear more about that for now.

It would be great if you could post about job responsibilities or anything else about the job you feel comfortable posting here.

I have a general idea as to what I would be expected to do, but I'm sure there's a lot more to it than that. To be honest, I have doubts if I can handle the job due to extreme shyness and low self-confidence. But then, if I can't handle this job, I won't be able to handle any job. It would help to have as many details as possible so that I can mentally prepare myself.

I'm also having trouble with my cover letter, if anyone wants to help with that. I'm having trouble telling why I'm qualified for the job. Since I have no experience, I really need write something impressive, but I don't know what. Sadly, I've been at it for 2-3 weeks. This is way worse than when I wrote my high school english term paper.

I'd be happy to share some additional information about my job and the responsibilities I've taken on. And, I can also offer some suggestions and personal experience along the way...

I'm not a registered vet tech. Let me get that stated right off the bat. However, I have had many years of experience working with animals prior to applying for my current experience. And, I'll be honest in that is why, in part, I was offered the position. I have had animals all throughout my life and have volunteered in shelters and done personal and group rescue. I've also fostered cats and dogs. I should also mention that I had prior work experience in the medical field. It was not with animals, but it certainly helps me on a day-to-day basis at work. Be aware that the company you're applying to and the position you're applying for may have prerequisites beyond a high school diploma. Even though my job is entry level, there were expectations. And, there were many applicants who did not get the position because they did not have information regarding health care and experience working with animals. If possible, find out as much as you can prior to sending in a resume and cover letter. In my personal opinion, applying for a job begins with strategic planning. Knowledge of the company you will potentially work for is a benefit as well as comfort and confidence in your personal skill set. Unfortunately, a lack of confidence is apparent in resumes and cover letters in some instances. And, within the interview process, those deficits become even more visible. But, take heart in that I, too, can be a self-conscious, shy individual with low self-esteem and confidence. The trick is to act as if you are confident, well-adjusted, and a leader. But, this too can trip some up as it is also important that you believe in yourself. However, this can be a whole post in and of itself. Instead, let me focus on some of the job responsibilities I have as a vet tech assistant.

First and foremost, expect the unexpected. Nothing is ever the same. Each pet you see will be different, each owner you interact with will be different, and each vet tech and vet you work alongside of will be different. And, they will all have different expectations and needs from you. I wear many hats at my job -- it's not a simple, I do xyz every day. Instead, I have to be prepared to not only fulfill my job obligations, but also assist others with theirs. And, most of the time, I don't have time to think before jumping in. But, let me start with the basics. Expect to clean. Kennels need to be cleaned and disinfected between pets and at the end of the day. The floor needs to be swept and mopped daily. And, that's not even counting the accidents you'll be cleaning up all throughout the day. With healthy pets, it's an easier process. When dealing with illnesses such as distember, parvo, bordatella, panleukopenia, giardia, coccidia, and other illnesses, fungal infections, or parasites, things can get much more difficult as there is a protocol to follow. It can be exhaustive. And, there is also cleaning and disinfecting exam rooms, the hospital area, and the waiting area. That's not even taking into account the cleaning of surgical instruments, fecal loops, ear cones, flea combs, clipper blades and the like. Laundry is also a major event. On a busy day, I can lose count quite easily of how many loads of wash I've done. Surgical instruments need to be scrubbed a special way and then sterilized. Then there is the wrapping of surgical packs. Often, you'll get help from the techs, but just as often, it's something I do on my own since they are busy with their own responsibilities. There is A LOT involved in keeping a clinic or hospital clean, sanitary, and, where needed, sterile.

Another major point is restraining pets for exams, vaccinations, and other procedures. Even something as seemingly benign as a toenail trim can turn dangerous. Early on in my training, I was informed that it was my responsibility to ensure that I was restraining the pet in such a way that the vet or tech working on the animal would not get harmed. Was I trained? Absolutely. Are there always exceptions to the rule? Sure. But, it's not as easy as it sounds. Some dogs need a lot of restraint while others do better with a light touch and loose hold. Some cats need to be scruffed while others are react to such handling. There is a lot of intuitive work when restraining animals. It goes hand-in-hand with the technical, in my opinion. And, just as each pet requires their own technique, each procedure does as well. Blood draws are done a number of ways and most require the person who is restraining the pet to hold off on the vein -- almost like a tourniquet. Knowing how to hold off and when to release pressure or add pressure is important. Again, it's something you should be trained to do, but if done improperly, things can go very wrong. I've had to learn how much to give and how much to take where pets are concerned. There have been really large dogs or aggressive dogs that I've had to almost lay across in order for a tech or vet to be able to complete a procedure. I've learned how much or how little force to apply. Then there is knowing how to restrain cats. And, that has its own issues as cats can certainly be difficult to handle. What works for a dog can be harmful to a cat and vice versa. Aggression in pets is very real when they're being worked on and handled by unfamiliar people. Add in illness or injury, and things can, at times, be downright dangerous. I'm not sharing any of this to scare you, but, rather, to let you know that confidence is key. Fractious animals can create difficult situations. But, it's rewarding to hold the key to keeping the pet and my coworkers safe. Working with pets is very much a team effort. Each individual has to hold their own as lives can and do depend upon it.

Aside from cleaning and restraining pets, I perform many other duties. I set up fecal exams, perform urine tests, set up ear swabs, and stain fecal samples, blood samples, ear samples, and skin samples. And, while many procedures are simple, they do require me to learn and remember how to perform each one. They all have subtle differences. I prepare slides for microscopic evaluation and run a myriad of tests. And, while I am not required to evaluate the slides or test results, my keen eye is appreciated and necessary at times. I clip toenails and clip pets, I bathe pets, and I clean ears. I prepare vaccinations and fill prescriptions when necessary. I help remove catheters and assist in providing sub-q fluids and other medications where possible. I collect fecal samples and urine samples (free catch only -- a vet or tech has to collect if free catch is not possible). I walk pets and I keep an eye on pets as they awaken from anesthesia. In pets that are being sedated for a minor procedure or for a test, I monitor their vitals both as they enter and exit the period of sedation. I assist in euthanization of pets. I assist in cleaning wounds and have assisted in a number of major and minor surgical procedures. I help the vet techs take x-rays and, while we now have a digital system, I have developed x-ray film. I help with the flow of the hospital and lend a hand wherever it is needed. I help admit patients and discharge patients. And, there is always, always, ALWAYS, something that needs to be done. Training is available and I was certainly taught the bulk of what I now know, but it also requires a lot of common sense. And, the ability to multi-task is a must.

And, perhaps, one of the things I did not consider was all of the client contact I have. I am often assisted at the reception desk -- checking in patients, checking out patients, accepting payments, and the like. I go over treatment plans and I make phone calls -- LOTS of phone calls to pet owners for a number of different reasons. I call clients to remind them that their pets are due for vaccinations or other tests. I try to bring in clients (ie. going out into the public) and also talk to clients who we have not seen or heard from in a while. When taking phone calls, I wind up acting almost as a triage nurse. I'm not working alone, of course, and I always have the help of my colleagues and the vets, but I do have to make split decisions on a regular basis. Having knowledge about health issues and pets in general has helped me immensely, but there is also a feeling that comes along with the job. I've come to recognize who needs to be seen NOW versus who can wait for an appointment tomorrow. I deal with happy clients with healthy pets and angry clients with healthy pets. I deal with devastated clients and clients who are scared. Selling is part of any job, in my opinion. I have to sell our hospital to the clients and I have to ensure that I'm doing all I can to make them feel comfortable and confident that we are taking the best care possible of their family members. And, sadly, there are those, too, who couldn't care less about their pets. Seeing neglect and abuse is difficult and requires actions of its own.

I've talked about what I do on a daily basis and what is expected of me, but what have I learned from my job? I've learned that I have to trust my coworkers and trust the vets I work for. I need to believe in the work we do every day. I need to trust my instincts and I've learned that I am never alone and can always ask for help. In fact, asking for help is a lesson in itself all the time. It doesn't come naturally and it can make me feel unintelligent or as though I am interrupting someone, but I NEED to do it. I'm not a registered tech. I have experiences, both personal and professional, that have helped me be able to expound upon my vet tech assistant position, but I don't know everything. Working with needles can be daunting. Handling pets can be difficult. Handling their owners can be even more difficult. And, being in frightening or sad or, even, happy situations can be overwhelming. But, I always need to maintain my confidence. And, if I can't, I need to know when and how to step back. I thought my job would be some simple cleaning and the occasional restraint of a pet. Not so. Is every job the same as mine? Absolutely not. So much of what I've written sounds like things vet techs do. And, in truth, sometimes they do. But, more often than not, it falls on me since they are reading labs and entering notes and having one-on-one contact with pets and their clients. And, the doctors are the ones diagnosing and doing procedures, and throwing out orders. Does everyone help one another? Yes, where I work. But, I know it's not like that everywhere. And, that is why believing in the hospital and having confidence in yourself and in your coworkers is so vital. I could go on and on, but I won't. And, even though I'm sure I've forgotten something, I think I've painted a fair picture of what I do and what happens behind the scenes.

Being a vet tech assistant, while a position that is often entry level (with experience with animals and business experience preferred, if not required, along with a diploma), seems simple. It can be anything but. I do have quiet days. But, as I said, there is always something that needs to be done. Working in a clinic has opened my eyes as to what happens and needs to happen just to see one patient for a simple exam. A lot of work happens to get that one pet seen. And, when the going gets rough, the workers need to get going all the more. Again, I'm not trying to scare you or make myself seem as though I hold my place of work together. It's not scary and I'm not all important. But, I do play a role and my role helps others play their roles. And, in the end, their roles are what save lives. That makes even the low man on the totem pole integral to the functioning of a practice, clinic, or hospital.

I LOVE my job and it has proven to me that my desire to be a vet tech and then a vet is, in fact, what my calling is. That is not true for everyone. You have to love what you do. It's a labor of love. To start, it's not a job you get rich doing. Maybe in the end, yes. But, not as a tech assistant or even a tech. I know vets who still struggle financially. It's about the love you have for pets and their health and healing. It is both heartening and heartbreaking at times. There are slow days and there are days where you wish you could tear out your hair. It's not simple, it's not a money-maker, and it's not for the faint of heart. But, it is all about heart. It has to be in order for it to be successful and for you to be successful doing it. I didn't know what to expect coming into this job, but knew it was my dream. And, now I get to live my dream. What a blessing! And, as I have learned so much, I know I need to move on to get my degrees. It's not for money, it's not for prestige...it's my calling. I have seen, first-hand, people do their job, but not love it. And, it's not pretty. The animals and their owners, in the end, suffer. You have to know you want it, you have to know it's in your blood. I don't know how else to explain it. I suppose you just know. I did.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. But, please, if you're not sure you can handle the job, let the interviewer know beforehand. Make sure you can do what will be asked of you (and, remember, you will have training and you won't be on your own). Know that it's not just the means to an end. It has to be something you want. That, perhaps, is the best advice I can give. And, if you read nothing else, I hope you'll see that and take it to heart. Again, good luck, and if you have other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via PM. Or, here. I love my job and, since I've written a novel, it's obvious I don't mind talking about it. I give you credit for wanting to be informed and for thinking before acting. Maybe this is the right career path for you. And, maybe it's not. Either way, I wish you the very best...

Originally Posted by Alison Joy

And, perhaps, one of the things I did not consider was all of the client contact I have. I make phone calls -- LOTS of phone calls to pet owners for a number of different reasons. I call clients to remind them that their pets are due for vaccinations or other tests. I try to bring in clients (going out into the public) and also talk to clients who we have not heard from in a while. Selling is part of any job, in my opinion. I have to sell our hospital to the clients and their family members.

Click to expand...

This post it leads me to believe you work in a high sale environment of "the" pet hospital. If so, know corporate mentality and experiences there aren't typical of everywhere in vet med.

Thanks so much Alison Joy. I'm still going to apply for the job. Knowing what really goes into it gives me time to mentally prepare myself.

The only thing I think I seriously worry about is getting bit in the face or neck. I'm sort of afraid of big dogs biting me. Did you ever have to get some sort of rabies vaccination in case you got bit?

BTW, it sounds like vet assistants should get paid more than the veterinarians. I've actually thought that for years. It's kind of like how teachers should get paid more than principals because the teachers do all the work, especially the hard work (like dealing with bratty kids).