ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Springfield, IL

All JobsVeterinary JobsEntry Level Veterinary Assistant JobsEntry Level Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Springfield, IL

Entry Level Veterinary Assistant information

See Springfield, IL salary details

$10

$17

$23

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

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level veterinary assistant in Springfield, IL is $17.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.00 and $18.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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.
More about Entry Level Veterinary Assistant jobs

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Veterinary Assistant jobs in Springfield, IL?

For Entry Level Veterinary Assistant jobs in Springfield, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Veterinary Assistant jobs in Springfield, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Veterinary Assistant jobs in Springfield, IL are:

Entry Level Veterinary Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Veterinary Assistant job openings in Springfield, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,541 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Veterinary Hospital Attendant

Alliance Animal Health

Springfield, IL • On-site

$15 - $16/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Alliance Animal Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 52 rated veterinary

Job description

Company Description
**This is a part-time position with possible full-time opportunities***
The Animal Emergency Clinic of Springfield provides emergency and critical care services when they are needed most. Our clinic is proudly supported by the Springfield veterinary community and is operational during hours when most regular veterinary practices are closed.
We are committed to collaborative, high-quality medicine. You can trust that our highly trained team delivers the best and most up-to-date emergency care possible for every patient that walks through our doors. We are open 24/7 to attend to emergencies as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Check out more about us by clicking here!
Job Description
This is a part-time entry-level position and we are looking for people who are excited and willing to learn! This job involves cleaning, laundry, bathing pets as needed, feeding pets, walking dogs, and medicating pets. You are responsible for restocking hospital supplies, helping with post-operative patients, assisting doctors and assistants with animal restraint and exams. You will be responsible for proper recordkeeping of medications, special foods, appetite, behavior and any issue that may arise while the animal is in our care. You will be trained to clean and sterilize surgical instruments. This position has expectations of early morning, evening, and weekend shifts.
Must be able to withstand unpleasant odors and noises. May be exposed to bites, scratches, animal waste and potentially contagious diseases.
Whether you're looking to just be a master of your role or trying to grow into that next career move, you'll have opportunities through a variety of virtual and hands on, interactive training and continuing development.
Qualifications
We are looking for a:
  • Compassionate, calm team player with a positive attitude.
  • Consistent punctuality and reliability in adherence to scheduled shifts.
  • Availability to work weekends.
  • Ability to use cleaning materials and equipment with skill and efficiency.
  • Perform moderately heavy physical labor (large dogs, bags of litter, pet foods, etc).
  • Ability to attend to sick, scared and injured animals sympathetically and patiently.
  • Ability to learn to administer medications and to recognize abnormal conditions.
  • Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
  • Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of the job.

Additional Information
**This is a part-time position with possible full-time opportunities***
Pay Range: $15 - $16/hr. depending on level of experience
We offer our staff:
  • Comprehensive Benefits (health, dental, vision, liability, 401k & 401K matching program, life & supplemental insurance, HSA, & FSA)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Vacation and Sick Time for ALL Employees
  • Paid Bereavement Program
  • Paid Parental Leave Program
  • Competitive Compensation
  • Continuing Education Allowance (applies to licensed/registered/certified roles)
  • Tuition Reimbursement Program Available to any AVMA Accredited Veterinary Technology Program
  • Career Development Opportunities
  • Referral Bonus Program for most positions!
  • Additional Benefits May Also Be Available (i.e. Personal Pet Discounts, Holiday Pay, Uniform Allowance, Bonuses etc)

Hiring eligibility may be contingent to a candidate authorizing and completing a satisfactory background check.
*Note - some benefits may only be available to or vary slightly for full time employment status vs part time status.
For additional details including our full equal opportunity statement, texting/outreach communication authorization, physical requirements of the job and more, please visit: https://allianceanimal.com/additionaljobdescriptiondetails/
For additional details including our full equal opportunity statement, texting/outreach communication authorization, physical requirements of the job and more, please visit: https://allianceanimal.com/additionaljobdescriptiondetails/

What Alliance Animal Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply