- VHMA’s 2025 Compensation & Benefits Survey introduces two new series for veterinary receptionists and technicians.
- Survey highlights show salary increases across management roles since 2023, with higher pay linked to job mobility.
- Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) holders earn up to 8.2% more than non-certified peers.
- Technician compensation rises with experience, credentials, and type of practice.
- Receptionist pay trends higher in specialty, emergency, and feline-only hospitals.
VHMA Expands 2025 Survey Scope
The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) has released its 2025 Compensation & Benefits Survey Report, a biannual analysis of pay, benefits, and employment trends across veterinary roles. This year’s series includes focused reports on non-DVM staff, associate veterinarians, and veterinary managers, along with new additions for veterinary receptionists and technicians.
“Understanding how compensation is changing across roles helps practices stay competitive in a rapidly shifting labor market,” said Christine Shupe, CAE, VHMA Executive Director. “By expanding the 2025 survey to include veterinary receptionists and veterinary technicians, these insights further provide the data needed to make informed decisions about pay, retention, and long-term workforce planning.”
Key Compensation Trends
When compared to 2023, the 2025 data reveal salary growth across all management levels. Median annual salaries rose from $48,000 to $55,120 for office managers, from $65,000 to $69,919 for practice managers, and from $85,000 to $90,000 for hospital administrators. Increases in hourly wages and total annual hours worked were also observed.
“We’re seeing less-senior managers earning more because mobility is giving them access to stronger wages,” said Darren Osborne, Director of Economic Research at the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association. “If hospitals don’t keep up with market rates, they risk losing talent to competitors and facing even higher costs to recruit and train replacements.”
CVPM Certification Boosts Manager Pay
Among survey respondents, 37% of hospital administrators, 14% of practice managers, and 4% of office managers held the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation. Those with CVPM certification earned an average of 8.2% more than non-certified peers. Osborne noted, “CVPM certification has the strongest influence on compensation of any credential—its impact is even greater than an MBA.”
Insights from New Technician and Receptionist Data
The new reports highlight that veterinary technician pay scales closely with years of experience and credentials. Technicians with advanced or specialty certifications—such as VTS or RVT—earned the highest median hourly wages. “It was nice to see compensation seemed to match the complexity of the roles and number of certifications,” said Osborne.
Among veterinary receptionists, tenure proved a key factor, with pay rising the longer employees remained in their current practice. Receptionists in emergency, feline-only, and specialty hospitals reported above-average compensation levels.
Experience and Tenure Drive Broader Pay Growth
Across non-DVM roles, pay generally increased with experience, especially for non-credentialed technicians. Practices specializing in emergency, exotic, or specialty care tended to offer the highest pay, while mixed animal practices remained on the lower end of the scale. Paid time off also grew with tenure. Among associate veterinarians, both experience and practice tenure strongly correlated with higher compensation.
Information sourced from the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association press release.
