Veterinary Specialist 3 pay range
State of Washington · class code 524C
- Class code
- 524C
- Salary range
- 47
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- Washington
- The State of Washington published pay range for Veterinary Specialist 3 is $51,600 to $69,348 per year.
- Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) keys this classification as class code 524C.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Step progression
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) assigns this class to salary range 47 in the General Service Salary Schedule. The range pays 13 steps; a step is normally earned on a periodic increment date, not negotiated.
| Basis | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $51,600 | $52,872 | $54,204 | $55,596 | $56,952 | $58,392 | $59,760 | $61,332 | $62,880 | $64,512 | $66,072 | $67,704 | $69,348 |
| Monthly | $4,300 | $4,406 | $4,517 | $4,633 | $4,746 | $4,866 | $4,980 | $5,111 | $5,240 | $5,376 | $5,506 | $5,642 | $5,779 |
| Hourly | $24.71 | $25.32 | $25.96 | $26.63 | $27.28 | $27.97 | $28.62 | $29.37 | $30.11 | $30.90 | $31.64 | $32.43 | $33.21 |
Steps as published. The monthly and hourly rows are the state's own, not conversions of the annual row.
Class specification
The OFM classified job specification for this class is published by Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM). The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications.
What the state says the job is
This is the senior or lead worker level of the series. Under general direction, positions perform veterinary technical specialized work related to public and animal health, care and management through the inspection and promotion of disease detection and diagnosis, analysis, control, eradication, and prevention. Positions are responsible for laboratory animals used in scientific research and maintain continuous surveillance for disease by conducting screening tests to monitor laboratory animal health and administering chemotherapy when warranted; preparing animals for surgery, including pre-operative sedation, general anesthetic, and preparing operative field for aseptic procedures; and may perform minor surgery and provide post-operative intensive care; or work in the field conducting surveillance, applying animal disease traceability, and enforcing animal health regulations.
Examples of the work
Initiates diagnostic tests on laboratory animals in which abnormalities are suspected, e.g., blood sampling for complete hematology and chemistry workups, radiography, paracentesis, auscultation, palpation, etc.; Maintains detailed records regarding individual laboratory animals including animal's health, weights, procedures performed, medications administered, research project assignments, etc.; Assists with necropsy procedures and collection of samples; Prepares detailed reports; Performs tests of livestock, poultry, and other avian species on ranches, farms, auctions, markets, etc., to detect animal diseases and parasites; Completes National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) inspections for ...
Minimum qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a medical, biological, or allied field, and two years’ experience in the animal, avian, or veterinary field. OR Registration, certification or licensure in an animal or veterinary technician program and four years’ experience in a mixed or large animal practice or working with laboratory animals. Note: Registration by the state of Washington may be required. Positions at the Department of Agriculture are required to be a Certified Veterinary Technician.
Quoted from the OFM classified job specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) publishes this figure in Classified Job Listing joined to the OFM salary schedules effective July 1, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
The dollar figures come from the salary schedule the listing assigns this range to.
Nearby classes in Washington
Veterinary Specialist 3 in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $48.31 | $69.70 | $100,485 to $144,976 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.