Labor market characteristics of veterinary technician specialists in 2007.
OBJECTIVE
To determine labor market characteristics of veterinary technician specialists (VTSs) during 2007 and identify characteristics significantly related to pay.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
163 VTSs.


METHODS
A 21-question, multiple-choice survey was sent in early May 2008 to all individuals (n = 345) who had been certified as VTSs and for whom an e-mail address could be identified.


RESULTS
Weighted mean pay rate for respondents was $23.48/h. Pay rate was significantly associated with practice type, whether the respondent had a supervisory or management position, duration of experience as a VTS, duration of experience as a veterinary technician, and duration of employment with the current employer. Pay rate was not significantly associated with age, gender, highest academic degree, geographic region, area of practice (ie, urban vs suburban vs rural), or academy of which the respondent was a member.


CONCLUSIONS
Traditional human capital variables such as work experience and job tenure were significantly related to pay rate for VTSs.
Norkus
Christopher L
CL
School of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies. cnorkus@rossvet.edu.kn
D017750:Animal Technicians; D002568:Certification / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D003625:Data Collection; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000191:economics; D007182:Income; D012952:Societies / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States