Veterinary office managers play a vital role in animal medicine.
If you live in California and are thinking about becoming a vet practice manager, this may be a great opportunity to learn everything there is to know about the process.
If you adore animals and want to play a role in managing and supporting pets and their owners, look no further than this guide.
Continue reading to learn about the duties involved and several schools that offer education to become a vet office manager.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in California
In the state of California, vet office manager duties are similar to those of any other state.
They are primarily responsible for overseeing the daily operations within a vet clinic.
You will be in charge of scheduling appointments, managing staff, taking care of finances, and more, all while making sure that the operation runs efficiently.
Here is a simple list of vet office manager responsibilities in California:
- Communicate with clients
- Schedule appointments
- Taking care of pets
- Manage the facility
- Manage inventory
- Manage medical records
Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager
The state of California does not have any specific requirements for vet office managers concerning licensing.
However, the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) offers credentials and is one of the most popular credentials in the vet practice field.
In addition, the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) also offers certification for those looking to get certified.
Most vet office managers do have experience, education, and certification, all of which will help them to land their first job in the field.
If you choose to get certified through CVPM, you will have earned a mixture of knowledge, skills, and experience to pave the way as a vet office manager.
VHMA, on the other hand, allows those pursuing credentials to receive certification as long as they are at least 18 years old, are committed to receiving additional vet office management education in the future, have completed on-the-job training, and have letters of recommendation from various professionals.
Vet Office Manager Programs
Here are several schools in California that offer training programs for aspiring vet office managers:
1. UC Davis Graduate School of Management
If you are pursuing your vet practice, UC Davis Graduate School of Management offers animal medicine professional courses and programs to help expand your skills.
They offer the Foundations of Vet Business program that educates students on marketing, human resource management, finance, and more.
There are several courses offered within this program, such as human resource management, cash flow and company valuation, strategy and design, and transactions and reporting.
2. California State University at Fullerton
Aspiring vet office managers can take advantage of the Department of Extension and International Programs at CSU.
This is the perfect opportunity to earn a degree online or a vet certificate.
This program combines clinicals, readings, and in-person courses to help prepare for a career as a vet office manager.
Various courses offered through this program include:
- Intro to Microsoft Word
- Financial Account Management
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
- Vet Assistant Duties
- Surgical and Dental Procedures
3. California State University at San Bernardino
Students who live in or near San Bernardino can take advantage of CSU’s program for vet office managers.
It’s an online training program to help you learn everything there is to know about the field.
You can work at your own pace and are given up to 12 months to complete the program.
Several courses offered include:
- The Vet Healthcare Team
- Veterinary Dental Assisting
- Small Animal Surgical Assisting
- Pharmacy Procedures
Top 3 Schools in California
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| UC Davis Graduate School of Management | 540 Alumni Ln, Davis, CA 95616, USA |
| California State University at Fullerton | 800 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA |
| California State University at San Bernardino | 5500 University Pkwy, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA |
Salary
Vet practice managers in California make an average of $95,000 a year.
This is slightly higher than the national average, which is $86,000 per year.
However, depending on where you are in California, your salary may differ.
For example, if you live in San Jose, you can earn up to $108,205, while those living in Anaheim make an average of $95,617.
Your final salary will depend on your experience, skills, education, and certification.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Vet Office Managers in California
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Anaheim | $96,481 |
| Carlsbad | $94,713 |
| Sacramento | $95,285 |
| Santa Barbara | $95,047 |
| Lancaster | $96,939 |
| Riverside | $92,839 |
| Fresno | $88,166 |
| San Jose | $110,982 |
| San Diego | $95,241 |
| San Francisco | $109,891 |
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 430 | $105,090 | $50.52 | $169,680 | $58,540 |
| Chico, CA | 170 | $89,040 | $42.81 | $148,800 | $48,130 |
| El Centro, CA | 70 | $105,450 | $50.7 | $159,970 | $56,440 |
| Fresno, CA | 590 | $106,650 | $51.28 | $170,630 | $53,760 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 60 | $104,920 | $50.44 | $158,480 | $59,010 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 13,130 | $128,600 | $61.83 | $197,620 | $72,320 |
| Madera, CA | 60 | $109,410 | $52.6 | $171,790 | $58,630 |
| Merced, CA | 120 | $107,600 | $51.73 | $154,230 | $63,780 |
| Modesto, CA | 290 | $103,790 | $49.9 | $170,940 | $56,570 |
| Napa, CA | 130 | $113,800 | $54.71 | $176,260 | $63,600 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 650 | $117,840 | $56.66 | $178,470 | $66,610 |
| Redding, CA | 120 | $102,880 | $49.46 | $166,760 | $56,310 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 2,230 | $113,570 | $54.6 | $175,410 | $60,020 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | ** | $99,870 | $48.02 | $135,030 | $78,750 |
| Salinas, CA | 240 | $110,910 | $53.32 | $177,980 | $53,300 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 2,460 | $124,750 | $59.98 | $204,180 | $64,320 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 5,630 | $150,160 | $72.19 | $# | $75,460 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,120 | $146,600 | $70.48 | $233,540 | $75,540 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 200 | $108,410 | $52.12 | $167,850 | $58,840 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 170 | $119,450 | $57.43 | $197,060 | $61,000 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 410 | $118,470 | $56.96 | $173,960 | $64,030 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 350 | $119,130 | $57.28 | $179,550 | $70,030 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 350 | $110,000 | $52.88 | $176,960 | $57,880 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 230 | $120,360 | $57.87 | $212,110 | $60,980 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 180 | $107,870 | $51.86 | $170,720 | $58,450 |
| Yuba City, CA | 80 | $97,500 | $46.87 | $155,310 | $40,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a license required to become a vet office manager in California?
A license is not required in California for those pursuing a career as a vet office manager.
While California doesn’t have any requirements, if you want to be successful in this field, you should receive the necessary education and training.
What is the length of time to become a vet office manager in California?
Various factors determine the amount of time it will take to become a vet office manager in California.
For example, the amount of experience you have working as a vet practice manager, in addition to the number of years, will all play a role.
Do you already have experience working in accounting, the veterinary field, or human resource management?
Everyone’s path will differ, as the answers to those questions will not be the same.
If you already have experience, you can gain entry into the field quickly.
On the other hand, if you are inexperienced, you will need to continue your education to gain the skills required to work as a vet office manager.
What education and training does California require for aspiring vet office managers?
Currently, California does not have any education requirements for those pursuing a career as a vet office manager.
Practice managers that are new to the field typically earn their career by receiving a mixture of on-the-job training and education.
Besides a high school diploma and an associate’s degree, consider earning a certificate so you can stand out to employers.
