Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $47,820 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,381 take-home, or $3,198 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,558
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,965
- Medicare (1.45%)$693
- Illinois income tax$2,222
- Take-home pay$38,381
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,060 | $18.78 | $31,776 | $2,648 |
| 25th percentile | $45,920 | $22.08 | $36,948 | $3,079 |
| Median (50th) | $47,820 | $22.99 | $38,381 | $3,198 |
| 75th percentile | $58,420 | $28.09 | $46,373 | $3,864 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,670 | $30.13 | $49,578 | $4,131 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,820 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median veterinary technologist and technician's $38,381 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,049 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.87).
Best-paying cities for veterinary technologists and technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #51 of 60 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $67,280 | $53,117 | $48,103 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $71,090 | $55,443 | $47,955 |
| 3 | Albany, NY | $58,750 | $46,810 | $47,014 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $61,260 | $51,402 | $46,253 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $60,970 | $48,669 | $45,626 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $59,090 | $47,164 | $44,994 |
| 7 | Riverside, CA | $58,510 | $46,872 | $44,035 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $56,580 | $45,861 | $43,354 |
| 51 | Chicago, IL | $47,820 | $38,381 | $37,049 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 60 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make in Chicago, IL?
The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $47,820 a year, or about $22.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,920 and $58,420.
What is a veterinary technologist and technician’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $47,820 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $38,381 a year ($3,198 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,222 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $47,380. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,049 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #51 of 60 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a veterinary technologist and technician afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median veterinary technologist and technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $226,060
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,080
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $208,000
- Pediatricians, General — $188,340
- Dentists, General — $156,100
- Veterinarian — $148,730
- Optometrist — $145,630
- Pharmacist — $140,880