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.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
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 #8 of 10 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $59,090 | $47,164 | $44,994 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $60,670 | $48,450 | $42,662 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $59,680 | $47,507 | $42,205 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $48,340 | $39,537 | $38,553 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $44,110 | $37,622 | $38,145 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $50,970 | $40,806 | $37,690 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,390 | $38,503 | $37,268 |
| 8 | 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 10 metros →
About the job: veterinary technologists and technicians
Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.4% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
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 #8 of 10 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%.
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