Animal Care Technician Jobs in Virginia

Animal Care Technician jobs in Virginia are consistently active, with steady demand across veterinary clinics, research institutions, animal shelters, and zoological facilities serving both the dense Northern Virginia corridor and the Hampton Roads region. Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Virginia Beach are the state's strongest hiring metros, where established employers like the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Smithsonian's National Zoo, and PetVet Care Centers maintain ongoing staffing needs. Lab animal care, veterinary assisting, and shelter medicine support are the most in-demand specialties across Virginia postings. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles7
Top employerShotVet
Top cityCulpeper, VA
Cities hiring7
Work type50% On-site
Top credentialHigh school diploma or GED

Showing 4 of 7+ Animal Care Technician jobs

University of Virginia
IACUC Coordinator, Animal Care and Use Program, Office of the Vice President for Research
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University of Virginia
Added 4d ago
IACUC Coordinator, Animal Care and Use Program, Office of the Vice President for Research
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$46k - $69k/yr
Hybrid
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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PetVet Care Centers
Godspeed Animal Care - Associate Veterinarian
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PetVet Care Centers
Added 4d ago
Godspeed Animal Care - Associate Veterinarian
PetVet Care Centers
Williamsburg, Virginia
Communications
Content & Communications
Public Relations (PR)
$130k - $170k/yr

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C
Animal Care Technician
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C
Added 1w ago
Animal Care Technician
County of Culpeper, VA
Culpeper, Virginia
Maintenance & Repair
Quality Control
Skilled Trades
$33k - $54k/yr
High school diploma or GED

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Pet Supplies Plus
Store Team Member (Cashier, Stocker, Animal Care)
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Pet Supplies Plus
Added 1w ago
Store Team Member (Cashier, Stocker, Animal Care)
Pet Supplies Plus
Midlothian, Virginia
Cleaning & Housekeeping
1,001-5,000

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See All 7 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Virginia

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Animal Care Technician Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Culpeper
1 job
Lynchburg
1 job
Blacksburg
1 job
Midlothian
1 job
Williamsburg
1 job
Mechanicsville
1 job
Charlottesville
1 job

Animal Care Technician Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

ShotVet
ShotVet1 open role
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech1 open role
Encore Vet
Encore Vet1 open role

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in animal care technician jobs across Virginia.

  • AALAS certification at ALAT, LAT, or LATG level preferred or required by employers
  • Experience handling and restraining multiple animal species safely in clinical or lab settings
  • High school diploma or GED with relevant coursework in animal science or biology
  • Familiarity with cage sanitation protocols, feeding schedules, and environmental enrichment
  • Ability to maintain accurate records in electronic animal management or veterinary software
  • Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods during shifts

Animal Care Technician Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become an animal care technician in Virginia?

Virginia does not require a state-issued license specifically for animal care technicians, but most employers expect or strongly prefer certification through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, known as AALAS. The entry-level credential is the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician designation. Candidates typically need a high school diploma, hands-on animal handling experience, and to pass the AALAS certification exam. Research institutions and universities in Virginia are the most common path into the field.

Which companies hire animal care technicians in Virginia?

Companies currently hiring animal care technicians in Virginia include ShotVet, Virginia Tech, and Encore Vet, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal research facilities, university veterinary programs, and multi-location veterinary clinic groups keeps hiring relatively consistent throughout the year.

Which Virginia cities have the most animal care technician jobs?

Culpeper, Lynchburg, and Blacksburg have the most animal care technician openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia and the Washington D.C. corridor drive volume through federal research contractors and large biomedical institutions, while Richmond's university presence and Virginia Beach's robust veterinary clinic market account for strong demand outside the D.C. suburbs.

Are there remote animal care technician jobs in Virginia?

Yes, but they're rare. Animal care technician work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring direct contact with animals in clinics, labs, or shelters, so the role does not translate well to remote arrangements. About 50% of animal care technician openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those postings are almost exclusively in training coordination, animal welfare consulting, or administrative support roles adjacent to direct care.

How can I get hired as an animal care technician in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is volunteering or working part-time at a Virginia animal shelter or humane society, such as the Richmond SPCA or the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, before applying to clinic or lab roles. Large research universities like Virginia Tech and George Mason University occasionally offer entry-level animal care aide positions that provide supervised experience. Completing the AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician exam, even before your first full-time role, signals seriousness to Virginia hiring managers and meaningfully improves your chances.

Where can I find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the roles that fit your experience level and location, and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 7 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Animal Care Technician Jobs