The veterinary healthcare team is not complete without veterinary technicians, otherwise referred to as vet techs, who collaborate with veterinarians to provide medical care for animals. Using their extensive knowledge of animal anatomy, behaviour, and diseases, these professionals aid in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, the administration of medications and vaccines, and the performance of laboratory tests.

Vet Tech Skills & Responsibilities

If you are interested in becoming a vet tech, it is certainly a good start to have a love for animals. This passion can be rewarding, yet challenging because of the physical and emotional demands of the job. A good vet tech has the ability to demonstrate compassion and empathy towards patients and their owners. Furthermore, they must be able to effectively communicate with both their patients and fellow colleagues. They can also think critically and make good decisions in emergency situations. Most importantly, vet techs must have a strong commitment and passion to learn and to provide the best care to animals. 

In general, there are specific skills and knowledge areas that a vet tech graduate must be able to demonstrate, including but not limited to:

• Controlling and restraining small animals in the clinical setting;

• Performing basic examinations and collecting vital signs;

• Administering medications and preparing veterinarian-prescribed pharmaceuticals;

• Collecting and processing samples for diagnostic laboratory work;

• Performing diagnostic tests such as EKGs and blood chemistries; 

• Producing standard diagnostic radiographs;

• Performing dental prophylactic procedures on dogs and cats;

• Assisting during surgical procedures and preparing surgical areas, including anesthetic delivery systems such as anesthesia; 

• Entering patient data in veterinary practice management computer software; and 

• Counseling clients in areas like drug administration, nutrition, and pet training. 

Vet Tech Training & Certification

To become a Registered Veterinary Technician, or RVT,  in Canada, you must graduate from an accredited post-secondary Veterinary Technology, Animal Health or Veterinary Technician program; and then pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Additionally, there may be supplemental provincial requirements and conditions. 

An RVT post-secondary education is often two-to-three years and is accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and in Ontario by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT).

You can compare RVT programs in Ontario on CourseCompare.ca, and in other provinces on the Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) website. 

Vet Tech Salaries in Canada

Using current salary data from Indeed.com, we have compiled a list of vet tech salaries across Canada below (last updated in April 2023). The national average annual salary is $42,067, or $23.33 per hour.

Alberta

The average yearly salary for vet techs in Alberta is $42,576. The hourly rate is approximately $23.61, which falls in line with the national average.

British Columbia

In British Columbia, the salaries for vet techs is 10% higher than the national average. The hourly wage is $25.56. Yearly, vet techs will make an average of $46,079.

Manitoba

On average, veterinary technicians in Manitoba make $23.44 per hour. Veterinary technicians working in Manitoba will make about $42,265 a year. 

New Brunswick

Veterinary technicians working in New Brunswick will on average make 15% less than the national average. Vet techs in New Brunswick average $19.91 an hour and $35,891 per year.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Registered vet techs can expect to make $40,497 every year, averaging $22.46 per hour, in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Northwest Territories

Veterinary technician pay in The Northwest Territories is the highest among the provinces and territories in Canada. It is 71% above the national average. Vet techs in The Northwest Territories make an average of $71,735 every year and $39.79 an hour. 

Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, vet techs can expect to make an average of $20.52 an hour and $36,998 a year. This average pay is 12% below the national average. 

Nunavut

Nunavut is also one of the highest paying vet tech locations in the nation. At 24% above the national average, vet techs in Nunavut can expect to make $28.78 an hour or $51,897 a year.

Ontario

In Ontario, vet techs can expect to earn $40,809 per year. Hourly, the average pay rate is $22.63. Being Canada’s biggest province, there are great job opportunities for vet techs in Ontario. 

Prince Edward Island

On average, Prince Edward Island technicians’ yearly salary is $37,691, which is 10% below the national average. Per hour, vet techs average $20.90.

Quebec 

Registered vet techs make approximately $19.81 per hour in the province of Quebec. Yearly this averages to $35,715, 15% below the national average.

Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, veterinary technicians can expect to earn $20.04 per hour, which is 14% below the national average. Their yearly salary is around $36,125.

Yukon

Vet techs in Yukon make around the same amount as the national average, $23.85 per hour and $43,004 annually.