The median annual salaries for veterinary hospital administrators and practice managers reached $85,000 and $65,000, respectively, in 2023, according to a new study.
The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association’s Compensation and Benefits Survey found that many non-veterinarian staff members received pay bumps since 2021.
“We have seen an increase in compensation in the last couple of years due to a tight supply of clinical staff,” VHMA executive director Christine Shupe said in an interview with the American Veterinary Medical Association.
“However, we have started to see that loosen up a little bit. I don’t anticipate we will continue to see the dramatic increases we have seen in the last couple of years.”
Hospital administrators’ compensation increased by 13% — from $75,000 in 2021 to $85,000 in 2023. Practice managers’ pay rose from $60,000 to $65,000. Office managers earned slightly more, from $47,750 to $48,000.
The median hourly wages for other non-veterinarian team members were:
- Receptionists: $17
- Credentialed technicians: $23.35
- Specialized credentialed technicians: $28
- Non-credentialed technicians: $18.73
- Technician assistants: $16.05
- Groomers: $15.50
- Kennel assistants: $14
Among other findings:
- Compensation tended to be higher in emergency and specialty practices, especially for hospital administrators and credentialed veterinary technicians.
- Credentialed technicians were paid the most in Washington state and the least in Mississippi.
- Non-credentialed technicians and receptionists earned the highest pay in Massachusetts and the lowest in Louisiana.
- Technician assistants were paid the most in Oregon and the least in Tennessee.
- Kennel assistants earned the most in California and the least in Texas and Idaho.