Veterinary care
Veterinary assistant
Support animal care teams with feeding, cleaning, handling and routine clinical assistance.
BLS · May 2025
EDUCATION & ENTRY
Employer training or optional certificate
A veterinary assisting certificate is one option; some employers train assistants on the job. Compare the complete price and hands-on experience with local hiring requirements. This certificate does not qualify someone as a veterinary technician.
The state’s typical entry education classification is “High school diploma or equivalent.” This describes the occupation broadly; employers, programs and licensing bodies set specific requirements.
CONNECT THE CAREER TO A PLACE TO LEARN
Oregon training options
These are related routes to investigate. Confirm the full preparation, current admissions and eligibility for your intended role with the provider.
Carrington College
Veterinary Assisting
A private career college certificate for veterinary support work.
Ask: What skills will I gain, what is the complete price, and do local employers also offer on-the-job training?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Blue Mountain Community College
Veterinary Assistant
Explore an entry route supporting veterinary teams and animal care.
Ask: Where does practical training happen, and which roles does this certificate prepare me for?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Take this question to a counselor.
Would a formal course or a local employer’s training route be the better first step for me?
Before choosing a program, ask for prerequisites, the complete timeline, class and placement schedules, and a full cost estimate including supplies, exams, travel and living expenses.
Build a working cost estimate →Understand the numbers.
The median is the midpoint of estimated wages for Oregon workers in this occupation. The hourly median is $21.33. These figures describe workers across experience levels; they are not starting pay or the earnings of graduates from the programs below.
Oregon projects employment moving from 2,687 jobs in 2024 to 3,109 in 2034. The projected 5,421 openings over the decade include growth and replacement needs as workers leave an occupation. Dividing that total by ten gives the rounded annual average shown above. These are projections, not today’s vacancies.
How to read wage information →