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Entry Level Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Madison, WI

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Entry Level Veterinary Assistant information

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How much do entry level veterinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level veterinary assistant in Madison, WI is $17.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $19.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level veterinary assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Veterinary Assistant, you need a basic understanding of animal care, handling procedures, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with veterinary management software, medical equipment, and proper sanitation practices is often required. Compassion, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you work effectively with both animals and their owners. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining animal well-being, ensuring smooth clinic operations, and providing supportive care to clients and veterinary teams.

How hard is it to get a job as an entry level veterinary assistant?

Securing an entry-level veterinary assistant position is generally accessible, especially for candidates with a high school diploma and basic animal care skills. Employers often seek candidates with a willingness to learn, good communication, and the ability to handle physical tasks; certification or prior experience can improve chances but are not always required.

How to get experience as an entry level veterinary assistant?

To gain experience as an entry-level veterinary assistant, volunteering or working as a kennel attendant or pet care aide can provide hands-on exposure to animal care. Additionally, completing a veterinary assistant training program or certification can improve job prospects and practical skills such as animal restraint and basic medical procedures.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level veterinary assistants and how can they prepare for them?

Entry level veterinary assistants often face challenges such as handling stressed or frightened animals, managing fast-paced workloads, and communicating effectively with both veterinary staff and pet owners. It's important to develop strong observation and multitasking skills, as well as resilience when dealing with emotional situations like euthanasia or critical care cases. Seeking mentorship from experienced team members and staying organized can help new assistants adapt more quickly and contribute positively to the clinic environment.

What does an entry level veterinary assistant do?

Entry-level temporary positions include positions like data entry clerk and administrative assistant. You usually find these jobs through a temporary contract based on current company staffing needs. These jobs frequently offer some training and do not require any previous industry experience to get the assignment. As a temp, you may help provide different types of support, such as working phones, making orders, or adding information to databases. The duration of each contract can vary, but they can run anywhere from several weeks to several months. Any positions that require more than a year of work are usually full jobs instead of temporary contracts.

What is the difference between Entry Level Veterinary Assistant vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectEntry Level Veterinary AssistantVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingAssociate degree in veterinary technology; certification often required
Work EnvironmentAnimal clinics, shelters, pet hospitals; assisting with basic careMore advanced clinical tasks; assisting veterinarians with diagnostics and procedures
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in veterinary clinics and animal care facilitiesTypically found in veterinary hospitals and clinics with more complex services
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for entry-level roles in veterinary supportCompared for more advanced veterinary support roles

Entry Level Veterinary Assistants perform basic animal care and support tasks with minimal formal education, while Veterinary Technicians have specialized training and certification, enabling them to handle more complex clinical duties. Both roles are essential in veterinary settings, but Veterinary Technicians typically require more education and perform more advanced procedures.

What is an entry level veterinary assistant?

Entry level veterinary assistants are individuals who support veterinarians and veterinary technicians in animal clinics or hospitals, typically with little to no prior experience in the field. Their duties often include feeding and bathing animals, cleaning kennels, assisting with restraint during exams, sanitizing equipment, and performing basic administrative tasks. This role is a great starting point for those interested in animal care and provides valuable hands-on experience. Entry level veterinary assistants usually work under direct supervision and may receive on-the-job training. The position can also serve as a stepping stone for further education and advancement in veterinary medicine.
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Veterinary Assistant jobs in Madison, WI? For Entry Level Veterinary Assistant jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Entry Level Veterinary Assistant jobs? Cities near Madison, WI with the most Entry Level Veterinary Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Veterinary Assistant job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,138 per year, or $17.4 per hour.

Veterinary Technician: Emergency & Critical Care (weekend Shifts)

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI • On-site

$25/hr

Full-time, Part-time

PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


University Of Wisconsin-Madison rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

126th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job Category: University Staff
Employment Type: Regular
Job Profile: Veterinary Technician I
Job Summary:
UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) is excited to welcome dedicated veterinary technicians to our Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) teams. Whether you're an experienced Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or a recent CVT graduate, we want to hear from you and we provide comprehensive training!
As the only veterinary teaching hospital in the state, UWVC offers a unique opportunity to blend your passion for animal care with the chance to mentor and train the veterinarians of tomorrow. If you're looking to make a meaningful impact in your career, UWVC is the place for you. Enjoy flexible scheduling, generous benefits, and competitive pay while helping shape the future of veterinary medicine.
Explore a career with us and see how UWVC can be the perfect environment for your professional growth!
The incumbent will be expected to work varied day and night weekend shifts on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Potential for part-time and full-time considerations. Exact work schedule will be discussed with candidates and agreed upon during the recruitment.
This position is being posted at Veterinary Technician levels 1, 2 and 3. Level and pay are commensurate with experience.
Key Job Responsibilities:
  • Completes routine laboratory tests and collects specimen according to established medical orders and care plans
  • Documents and disseminates results to the appropriate entities
  • Serves as a point of contact for animal owners and stakeholders providing information and answering questions
  • Assists with the execution of more complex animal care procedures and affiliated activities
  • Prepares, completes, and documents basic technical animal care procedures, assessments, and medication administration according to established care plans and medical necessity
  • Assist with treatments of patients in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) including the Emergency Room (ER) and the Intermediate Care Ward (IMCW).
  • Monitors animal health status and records, notifies veterinarian when status changes, and ensures care plans are completed and recorded in the medical record
  • Tracks supply inventory levels and places replenishment orders
  • Maintains organization of and updates records related to medical procedures and billing

Department:
School of Veterinary Medicine
UW Veterinary Care Hospital
Emergency and Critical Care Unit
Compensation:
The starting hourly rate for this position is $25.00 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications).
In addition to the base pay listed in this posting, ECC positions offer a substantial $3.00/hour increase on top of your base pay. Opting for a flexible schedule further enhances your earnings with an additional $2.00/ hour. Earn an extra $3.00/hour for night shifts and $1.80/hour for weekends, creating a total shift incentive potential of nearly $10.00/ hour!
Sign-on Bonus of 3-5% of base pay (based on FTE) to be paid over the first year of employment!
UW Veterinary Care offers competitive wages (including night and weekend differential, if applicable), outstanding employee benefits https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/new-employee-benefits-enrollment/benefits-for-employees-covered-by-the-wrs/ ample paid time off https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/leave/paid-leave/ , and financial support for continuing education and pursuing specialty certification.
Required Qualifications:
  • Certified Veterinary Technician
  • Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. independently
  • Physical and manual dexterity to perform specialized technical tasks

This position is posted at Vet Tech levels 1, 2 and 3. Level is determined by qualifications based on type of prior veterinary tech experience:
  • To qualify for Level 1: Entry level, new CVT grad with minimal experience
  • To qualify for Level 2: Generally, over 2 years of veterinary tech experience, may substitute years of experience for specialization
  • To qualify for Level 3: Veterinary Tech Specialist (VTS), or highly qualified and specialized in a specific area, may have prior experience from another university hospital

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Prior experience in a veterinary clinic

Education:
Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Required
High School Diploma Required
Associates Degree Preferred
How to Apply:
Begin the online application process by clicking the 'Apply' button. You will be asked to submit a current resume.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
The deadline for assuring full consideration is April 1, 2026; however, this position will remain open and applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Contact Information:
Hiring Manager: Melinda Carmody, Veterinary Nurse Supervisor, melinda.carmody@wisc.edu
Human Resources Support: April Schulz, HR Manager, ajschulz2@wisc.edu
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying to.Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

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About University of Wisconsin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Wisconsin, based in Madison, WI, US, functions in the educational industry and is a renowned and respected institution for higher education. Its official website is wisc.edu. Established in 1848, this public research university is recognized globally for its innovative approach to education, research, creativity, and public service. It embodies a strong commitment to academic freedom and academic excellence. As a major contributor to the Wisconsin Idea, it aims to accomplish its mission of generating well-rounded individuals who will contribute substantially to society, the local community, and the global economy.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Madison, WI, US

Year founded

2005