Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
Occupation · NOC 2021 32104 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 32104
- TEER
- 2
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 387
- Median wage, Canada
- C$23.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,103
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About this occupation
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians provide technical support to veterinarians by caring for animals and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health disorders. They are employed in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, humane societies, zoos, animal research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies and government. Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
Example job titles
- animal health technician
- animal health technologist
- laboratory animal technician
- registered veterinary technician (RVT)
- veterinarian assistant
- veterinary technician
- veterinary technologist
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Provide nursing care and rehabilitation therapy for animals
- Handle, restrain and care for animals undergoing treatment and surgery
- Produce radiographs, collect and analyse samples and perform other laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis of animal health problems
- Assist veterinarian with animals before, during and following surgery by preparing surgical equipment, administering and monitoring anaesthetics and cleaning up after surgery
- Prepare and administer medications and vaccines under direction of a veterinarian
- Administer treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian
- Provide wound and bandage care
- Conduct specialized procedures such as animal identification and hoof trimming
- Educate and advise clients on animal health care including nutrition and home care
Employment requirements
- Completion of a two- or three-year animal health/veterinary technology college program is required.
- Successful completion of a national registration examination may be required in some employment settings.
- Registration with provincial animal health technologists' or veterinary technicians' associations is available, and is mandatory in some provinces.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 53 |
| 2022 | 102 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 61 |
| 2025 | 30 |
| 2026 | 10 |
- Laboratoires Charles River Montréal ULC74
- 534422 B.C. LTD28
- Charles River Laboratories13
- Ammar Veterinary Professional Corp10
- 534422 BC Ltd8
- Bhullar Enterprises Inc dba Atlas Animal Hospital6
- Emilia Da Silva Vieira Professional Corporation6
- 1069211 B.C. LTD.5
- CHEAM VIEW VETERINARY HOSPITAL (1981) LTD5
- SASHA BLACK VETERINARY PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION5
- Campus Estates Animal Hospital Professional Corporation5
- Malwa Enterprises Ltd4
- College Heights Veterinary Clinic Ltd4
- Montreal Road Animal Hospital Professional Corporation4
- Gladys Pet Hospital Limited4
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | 10 | 0 |
| 2023 | 20 | 0 |
| 2022 | 30 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 5 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 | 40 |
- Canadian Experience Class255
- Provincial Nominee Program90
- Federal Skilled Worker15
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$17.00 | C$23.00 | C$33.16 |
| Alberta | C$17.00 | C$24.00 | C$37.00 |
| British Columbia | C$17.85 | C$23.00 | C$33.17 |
| Manitoba | C$16.50 | C$24.00 | C$30.00 |
| New Brunswick | C$15.65 | C$20.00 | C$23.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$17.07 | C$18.50 | C$29.87 |
| Nova Scotia | C$16.50 | C$21.50 | C$27.75 |
| Ontario | C$17.60 | C$22.00 | C$33.04 |
| Quebec | C$18.90 | C$23.00 | C$31.00 |
| Saskatchewan | C$16.50 | C$25.00 | C$32.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,103
- Vacancies advertised
- 1,213
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$25.00
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