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Credentials that raise your pay

• Veterinary technician specialty

  Extra certification in anesthesia, emergency and critical care, dentistry, internal medicine or behavior. Takes several years of case logs plus an exam.

• Laboratory animal technician certification

  Opens research institution jobs, which pay better and keep regular hours.

• Practice management

  Experienced technicians often move into running the clinic, which pays more than the clinical work does.

• Bachelor's completion online

  Several accredited programs, including distance learning options at Purdue University, let you top up an associate degree.