12 Reasons Why Being a Traveling Vet Tech is the Best Career Move

Being a traveling veterinary professional offers rewarding opportunities and flexibility for career growth.

Traveling vet tech jobs differ from traditional roles, allowing professionals to work with mobile veterinarians and animal hospitals rather than being confined to a single clinic or hospital.

A traveling vet technician role can be the perfect fit if you love animals, seek new adventures, and want a good work-life balance. 

Here are the top benefits of the traveling vet profession.

Flexibility in Location and Schedule

Traveling vet techs can get paid well and work where they desire. 

Unlike traditional vet technical positions, traveling vet techs can choose their assignments based on their preferences and availability.

Working professionals can readily relate to this, as they often need to balance their work with other interests, hobbies, and family responsibilities. 

1. Opportunities to Explore New Places

The mobile vet tech role allows you to explore different cities and areas. 

For many vets and techs, arranging work schedules to cover desired locations is possible. So, traveling to beautiful destinations for the sake of animal care is worthwhile.

2. Diverse Work Environments

Traveling technicians may work in diverse environments, such as:

• Big-city animal hospitals
• Small country clinics
• Or even with a nomadic veterinarian team 

Diverse locations offer practical experience with different animals and diseases, providing valuable insights into veterinary practice.

3. Traveling Vet Tech Salary

Many mobile vet techs can command a higher salary than their stationary counterparts due to the high demand for mobile vet services. 

With the rise of mobile veterinarians and relief staff, traveling vet jobs are becoming profitable, especially in areas with vet tech shortages.

The following graph compares the traveling vet tech salary vs. traditional vet tech salary across different states.

 

This demand, paired with flexible job options, can result in higher earnings and other benefits like travel reimbursements, making it a financially rewarding choice. Learn more about the traditional vet tech salaries on different american states.

4. Skill Development and Career Growth

A traveling veterinary technician gains more exposure to various procedures, clients, and patients because of the job's mobile nature.

This continuous learning situation develops skills in emergency care, surgery assisting, and client interaction, making you a professional expert and advancing your career.

5. Networking and Building Connections

Essential and formal communication with roving veterinarians and mobile clinics helps build a loose but entirely professional network. 

It is also helpful when looking for future jobs or getting references, especially when collaborating in other aspects of veterinary medicine.

6. Exposure to a Variety of Cases

Every day, week, or month, a roving vet tech may engage in different situations—ranging from simple checkups to complicated surgical procedures and operations. 

Such exposure enriches diagnostic and treatment experience, enabling you to develop professionally while ensuring that the daily tasks are not repetitive for a practicing professional.

7. Work-Life Balance for Adventurous Souls

Traveling pet doctors enjoy more flexible schedules, allowing them to take assignments based on demand and enjoy time off for travel or personal activities.

The nature of this role will appeal to a person with a flexible lifestyle who values their mental health and the quality of their work.

8. Personal Fulfillment from Helping More Pets

The role of a mobile vet tech allows for a broader impact, reaching a larger number of households, from urban animal shelters to rural farming communities.

Many people who work in animal-related fields find their jobs fulfilling due to their positive effects on animals and the broader community. 

9. Reduced Job Burnout

Veterinary work can be pretty stressful, leading to exhaustion among workers. 

However, tasks performed by traveling veterinarians are naturally flexible. 

The variety of cases and the evolving environment that they encounter help reduce the risk of burnout, as the job remains consistently engaging and challenging.

10. Independence and Autonomy

The nomadic vet techs often have more freedom regarding what that role will entail. 

This independence is especially valued for people who love taking initiative and making decisions without strict supervision, which increases job satisfaction and self-esteem.

11. Easier Path to Remote and Relief Work

With the rise of traveling relief veterinarians, there’s also a growing demand for relief vet techs to assist in temporary or urgent care situations. 

These relief positions for veterinary technicians are now more accessible, allowing for a stable home life alongside a flexible, remote career.

Expert Tips for Aspiring Traveling Veterinarians

• Consider a Certification in Emergency and Critical Care.
• Invest in Reliable Travel Gear (From organizing medical tools to packing efficiently).
• Network with Other mobile Vet Techs: Join online communities or professional groups to share tips, job opportunities, and experiences that can enrich your career.

Conclusion

Becoming a traveling vet tech offers the rewarding experience of job satisfaction, as it combines the benefits of travel with the excitement of new adventures. 

You must consider joining a profession that provides work flexibility, competitive wages, diverse cases, a lower risk of burnout, and many other benefits. 

Mobile vet techs offer an exciting opportunity for those who want to work independently and experience something new every day in the veterinary field.

Explore the extensive range of learning resources at Vet and Tech today. Improve your knowledge, learn about current developments and advances in the veterinary field, and get career guidelines. 

Don’t miss out on registering for our upcoming free CE webinar. 

FAQs

How much does a traveling vet tech earn?

Wages of traveling pet doctors vary immensely depending on the work area and demand, but most commonly, they receive more wages than fixed veterinary technicians. They may earn anything from $40,000 to $60,000 per year, but they can earn more if they work overtime or engage in certain delicate operations.

How can I find traveling vet tech jobs?

You can find your role with veterinary job search boards, mobile veterinary platforms, or agencies that offer temporary placements of vet technicians. Working with mobile veterinarians and participating in online groups meant for traveling vet technicians can also be a way out.

Do vet techs who travel need additional certifications?

While additional certifications are not necessary, they can be beneficial. Certificates in essential life support, anesthesia, or surgery certification are some ways to get you better paid and complicated tasks.