A Veterinary technician’s salary in Canada ranges from around $32,000 annually at entry-level to approximately $60,000 in 2023. Mid-range salaries are in the region of $42,000 per annum.
What Is A Veterinary Technician’s Salary In Canada By Province?
The best government statistics for comparing wages by province are presented as hourly pay rates. This applies to all occupations, including those where pay is based on an annual salary.
Low and high wage rates are provided along with the average median wage; the median is the middle point of the data range when all wages are listed in numerical order.
Veterinary Technician's Salary In Canada By Province 2021
| Veterinary Technician's Hourly Wages By Province (NOC 32104) | |||
| Province | Low ($ Hr) | Median ($ Hr) | High ($ Hr) |
| Canada | 15.00 | 20.00 | 28.00 |
| Alberta | 17.00 | 23.00 | 35.00 |
| British Columbia | 15.65 | 21.00 | 26.04 |
| Manitoba | 14.30 | 19.50 | 30.98 |
| New Brunswick | 13.75 | 16.50 | 24.00 |
| Newfoundland | 15.00 | 17.30 | 24.50 |
| Northwest Territories | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nova Scotia | 16.00 | 17.50 | 24.50 |
| Nunavut | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ontario | 16.50 | 20.00 | 26.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | 15.00 | 17.00 | 32.00 |
| Quebec | 14.25 | 21.00 | 26.00 |
| Saskatchewan | 17.00 | 19.75 | 28.85 |
| Yukon Territory | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| This information has been compiled from several sources, including data from Statistics Canada and the Labour Force Survey. | |||
Which Province Has The Highest Veterinary Technician’s Salary In Canada?
The highest mid-range veterinary technician’s salary in Canada is in Alberta, where salaries are around 15% above the national average.
Salaries in Alberta are typically higher than in other provinces in Canada. This applies across all job sectors, but the most significant differences are seen in occupations related to the oil and gas industry.
At the other end of the scale, the lowest veterinary technician’s salary in Canada is in the maritime provinces, where mid-range salaries are around 15% lower than average. However, the cost of living here is lower than in many regions of Canada, so salaries here should be viewed in this context.
Are Vet Techs In Demand In Canada?
The job market for vet technicians over the next five years is expected to become highly competitive, with new job seekers far exceeding the number of job openings.
Government projections (carried out by EDC) for 2022 to 2031 showed projected job openings for veterinary technicians as 7,800, compared to 17,300 new job seekers who will fill these posts.
Job openings will result from:
- Increased pet ownership due to population growth
- Greater demand for veterinary care fuelled by improved insurance products
- Ongoing reinforcement of animal food quality
- Experienced technicians are now authorized to carry out tasks previously restricted to vets
On the downside, this job area is extremely popular with school leavers. Many turn to the vet tech occupation due to the limited number of positions for veterinary training.
A veterinary technician’s salary in Canada in 2023 is expected to be around 4% higher than a veterinary technician’s salary in Canada in 2022.
What Is An NOC Code In Canada?
National Occupational Classification Codes (or NOC Codes) are numbers used to categorize jobs in Canada. All occupations are numbered based on the training, education, experience and responsibilities required to perform the job. In 2022 a new system of numbers was introduced whereby the previous 4-digit NOC codes were replaced with new 5-digit codes.
What Is The NOC Code For A Veterinary Technician In Canada?
The current NOC code for veterinary technicians in Canada is 32104 (note that under the old system the NOC code was 3213). This NOC code covers all jobs with the following names:
- Animal health technician
- Animal health technologist
- Laboratory animal technician
- Registered veterinary technician (RVT)
- Veterinarian assistant
- Veterinary technician
- Veterinary technologist
Note that a veterinary helper is a lower-level position than a vet tech. For example, a vet helper requires a minimum high school education versus a 2-3 year college program for a vet tech.
Can Immigrant Vet Tech Work In Canada?
If you qualified as a vet tech overseas, you may be able to work in Canada. However, this will depend on your choice of province and whether your qualifications are equivalent to Canadian ones.
Veterinary technicians are regulated provincially, and the requirements differ from province to province.
For instance, many provinces require your qualifications to be assessed for Canadian equivalency. This is done through the International Credentials Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS). You can apply for provincial registration if your qualifications are considered equivalent.
The good news is that the NOC code for this job sector appears on the Government of Canada’s list of target occupations for immigration. This means that you could be eligible for the Federal Skilled Workers Program, which provides express entry to Canada.
Where To Find More Information About Vet Tech Jobs In Canada
If you would like more specific information for a particular job or location, the online “Job Bank” is a great resource.
The “Trends Analysis” section allows you to search for a job type in any location. It will then provide information including:
- Average wages levels
- Marketplace trends
- Qualification requirements
- Geographic comparisons
- Currently available jobs
You may also find the Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) website useful.
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What Is A Veterinary Technician’s Salary In Ontario?
A veterinary technician’s salary in Ontario ranges from around $35,000 per annum as starting salary up to $55,000 per annum in 2023. Mid-range salaries are about $42,000 per annum, which aligns with provincial averages.
Vet tech’ salaries in Ontario are very consistent across the province. This includes Toronto, where veterinary technicians’ salaries are generally in line with provincial averages.
