Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians earn a median $47,380 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What veterinary technologists and technicians do
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)
- Openings per year
- 13,400
Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 9.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 13,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,506
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,938
- Medicare (1.45%)$687
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,250
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,710 | $17.17 | $30,873 |
| 25th percentile | $38,910 | $18.71 | $33,444 |
| Median (50th) | $47,380 | $22.78 | $40,250 |
| 75th percentile | $57,650 | $27.72 | $48,502 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,180 | $30.38 | $52,945 |
Best cities for veterinary technologists and technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $59,090 | $47,164 | $44,994 | 2,520 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $60,670 | $48,450 | $42,662 | 3,640 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $59,680 | $47,507 | $42,205 | 4,850 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $48,340 | $39,537 | $38,553 | 3,370 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $44,110 | $37,622 | $38,145 | 3,570 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $50,970 | $40,806 | $37,690 | 2,970 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,390 | $38,503 | $37,268 | 2,760 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $47,820 | $38,381 | $37,049 | 3,250 |
| 9 | Dallas, TX | $44,360 | $37,823 | $36,690 | 4,570 |
| 10 | Miami, FL | $47,620 | $40,443 | $35,428 | 2,640 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $60,670
- New York, NY — $59,680
- Minneapolis, MN — $59,090
- Boston, MA — $50,970
- Philadelphia, PA — $48,340
- Chicago, IL — $47,820
- Miami, FL — $47,620
- Phoenix, AZ — $46,390
- Dallas, TX — $44,360
- Houston, TX — $44,110
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $61,270 | +9.6% | $48,874 | $50,390 – $81,990 | 120 |
| California | $60,630 | +10.1% | $48,421 | $48,240 – $75,860 | 11,310 |
| Washington | $59,740 | +1.1% | $50,181 | $46,390 – $77,300 | 2,290 |
| New York | $59,010 | +0.3% | $47,005 | $47,640 – $78,760 | 5,350 |
| Minnesota | $57,270 | +15.7% | $45,825 | $42,640 – $65,120 | 3,560 |
| Oregon | $55,810 | +14.0% | $42,970 | $39,920 – $77,710 | 1,120 |
| Virginia | $52,090 | −6.6% | $41,853 | $35,590 – $75,770 | 2,790 |
| Connecticut | $50,950 | +4.2% | $41,751 | $41,480 – $75,090 | 1,690 |
| Maine | $50,810 | +2.7% | $40,758 | $47,340 – $57,690 | 910 |
| Nevada | $50,250 | +3.4% | $42,556 | $34,700 – $65,420 | 1,120 |
| Michigan | $49,710 | +5.4% | $40,260 | $37,410 – $63,020 | 2,550 |
| Colorado | $49,650 | +2.7% | $40,598 | $37,820 – $60,380 | 3,720 |
| Massachusetts | $49,540 | +5.1% | $39,728 | $37,500 – $64,470 | 3,990 |
| Vermont | $49,490 | +6.1% | $40,721 | $48,050 – $58,430 | 390 |
| New Jersey | $49,050 | +0.9% | $40,429 | $37,870 – $75,310 | 2,910 |
| North Dakota | $48,790 | +19.3% | $41,383 | $35,960 – $56,980 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $48,780 | +0.4% | $41,375 | $37,450 – $60,840 | 870 |
| Indiana | $48,720 | +2.5% | $39,919 | $37,820 – $59,490 | 1,820 |
| Hawaii | $48,550 | +1.8% | $39,010 | $35,990 – $62,660 | 270 |
| Delaware | $48,370 | +2.7% | $39,038 | $37,250 – $61,890 | 530 |
| Ohio | $47,990 | +3.4% | $40,203 | $34,760 – $61,360 | 4,790 |
| North Carolina | $47,620 | +4.8% | $39,051 | $35,890 – $59,420 | 2,580 |
| Maryland | $47,350 | +1.6% | $38,340 | $38,750 – $74,460 | 2,540 |
| Wisconsin | $47,020 | +3.7% | $38,673 | $37,900 – $59,110 | 2,590 |
| Alaska | $46,480 | — | $39,527 | $37,010 – $75,820 | 380 |
| Illinois | $46,440 | −3.0% | $37,341 | $38,580 – $60,520 | 5,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,430 | +10.8% | $38,061 | $36,480 – $60,280 | 6,620 |
| Florida | $46,380 | +14.9% | $39,446 | $36,600 – $57,870 | 11,380 |
| Arizona | $46,300 | +2.6% | $38,433 | $37,870 – $58,350 | 3,970 |
| Kansas | $45,810 | +17.3% | $37,232 | $36,780 – $58,250 | 1,270 |
| Iowa | $45,560 | +9.0% | $37,708 | $36,290 – $63,860 | 1,220 |
| Rhode Island | $45,310 | +7.3% | $37,504 | $37,570 – $63,590 | 530 |
| South Dakota | $45,300 | +0.2% | $38,579 | $35,780 – $50,440 | 300 |
| New Mexico | $44,790 | +17.9% | $37,210 | $31,350 – $56,870 | 890 |
| Nebraska | $43,680 | +11.5% | $36,169 | $37,770 – $57,310 | 690 |
| Missouri | $43,520 | +11.6% | $36,040 | $31,940 – $49,260 | 2,040 |
| Georgia | $43,060 | +11.0% | $35,167 | $35,060 – $58,590 | 2,410 |
| Tennessee | $42,810 | +15.9% | $36,578 | $31,660 – $57,040 | 1,640 |
| Idaho | $42,120 | +14.9% | $34,899 | $31,900 – $48,660 | 790 |
| Montana | $41,170 | +3.7% | $34,082 | $35,420 – $57,660 | 480 |
| Utah | $40,560 | +2.9% | $33,911 | $29,640 – $55,330 | 1,550 |
| Kentucky | $39,590 | +6.5% | $32,723 | $28,490 – $50,530 | 1,670 |
| Texas | $39,410 | +5.8% | $33,846 | $30,320 – $54,610 | 16,730 |
| Oklahoma | $39,100 | +3.1% | $32,383 | $31,390 – $53,880 | 1,060 |
| South Carolina | $39,020 | +2.8% | $32,348 | $33,870 – $57,970 | 2,540 |
| Wyoming | $38,650 | +2.8% | $33,235 | $28,630 – $49,260 | 310 |
| Arkansas | $38,360 | +10.0% | $31,719 | $27,250 – $47,820 | 320 |
| West Virginia | $37,700 | +3.7% | $31,450 | $29,430 – $48,170 | 400 |
| Alabama | $36,590 | +20.0% | $30,016 | $28,590 – $49,060 | 1,880 |
| Mississippi | $36,380 | +0.8% | $30,688 | $29,120 – $46,710 | 650 |
| Louisiana | $35,530 | +18.8% | $30,049 | $28,490 – $47,690 | 2,220 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,570 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +21.4% |
| Psychiatric Technician | $45,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +22.3% |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,640 | Associate's degree | +2.7% |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $47,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.2% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,290 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.9% |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,470 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.8% |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,140 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.8% |
| Paramedic | $60,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make?
The national median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is $47,380 a year ($22.78 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,710 and the top 10% earn over $63,180. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays veterinary technologists and technicians the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $61,270. After taxes and local prices, Minneapolis, MN offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 129,140 people work as veterinary technologists and technicians nationwide.