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Veterinary Technician Salary by State

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By: All Allied Health Staff

Updated: June 10, 2026

Home » Veterinary Technician » Salary

Key Takeaways

  • The veterinary technician salary varies significantly by state, specialization, and experience, according to BLS data.
  • Job growth for vet techs is projected to be higher than average, with significant demand expected through 2034.
  • Specializations may increase job opportunities and often require professional certification to qualify.
  • Vet techs may find positions in laboratories, boarding kennels, animal shelters, emergency facilities, and zoos.

Vet Tech Median Annual Salary

According to The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics, salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.

Here’s what the BLS has to say about vet tech salaries by state:

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

National data

Median Salary: $45,980

Projected job growth: 9.1%

10th Percentile: $32,120

25th Percentile: $37,390

75th Percentile: $50,960

90th Percentile: $60,880

Projected job growth: 9.1%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $30,480 $26,920 $43,470
Arizona $45,110 $36,610 $56,890
Arkansas $34,880 $29,040 $45,760
California $55,080 $41,020 $74,390
Colorado $48,360 $36,840 $59,070
Connecticut $48,880 $38,360 $71,780
Delaware $47,100 $36,640 $60,620
District of Columbia $55,900 $47,040 $72,110
Florida $40,380 $32,450 $56,120
Georgia $38,810 $31,290 $57,280
Hawaii $47,670 $36,780 $58,020
Idaho $36,670 $28,810 $46,700
Illinois $47,860 $36,480 $58,860
Indiana $47,520 $34,500 $59,360
Iowa $41,780 $34,750 $61,430
Kansas $39,070 $32,240 $56,900
Kentucky $37,180 $28,240 $47,200
Louisiana $29,920 $22,440 $42,560
Maine $49,460 $39,710 $56,610
Maryland $46,620 $37,260 $61,020
Massachusetts $47,130 $38,560 $59,020
Michigan $47,150 $37,370 $59,280
Minnesota $49,480 $38,510 $62,650
Mississippi $36,090 $24,120 $45,100
Missouri $39,010 $29,770 $50,620
Montana $39,690 $35,340 $50,020
Nebraska $39,180 $31,050 $54,080
Nevada $48,590 $34,210 $62,260
New Hampshire $48,600 $36,350 $60,430
New Jersey $48,630 $35,760 $60,900
New Mexico $37,980 $29,850 $49,640
New York $58,830 $46,780 $78,350
North Carolina $45,460 $34,770 $59,030
North Dakota $40,900 $30,050 $56,420
Ohio $46,390 $28,300 $58,560
Oklahoma $37,920 $30,370 $48,180
Oregon $48,950 $36,780 $62,070
Pennsylvania $41,910 $32,820 $55,230
Rhode Island $42,230 $37,390 $58,470
South Carolina $37,960 $29,900 $61,200
South Dakota $45,220 $33,280 $49,080
Tennessee $36,940 $30,250 $48,630
Texas $37,250 $28,800 $49,390
Utah $39,400 $29,060 $48,660
Vermont $46,650 $40,440 $57,710
Virginia $55,790 $39,600 $72,260
Washington $59,080 $47,050 $74,520
West Virginia $36,350 $27,660 $47,710
Wisconsin $45,340 $36,710 $58,520
Wyoming $37,580 $22,180 $47,460

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

How Do Veterinary Technician Salaries Compare?

Career Median Annual Salary
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians $45,980
Animal Control Workers $45,830
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $37,320
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $61,890

Animal caretakers need talented assistants and the field of technology around animal care is growing. Because of this, new treatments and procedures are available to keep animals healthy and alive longer, so there will be an increase in services needed.

Find comprehensive vet tech salary guides for your state: California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Indiana | Massachusetts | Michigan | New Jersey | New York | Ohio | Texas

What is the Job Growth Like?

The job growth for veterinary technicians is projected to be higher than average; employment for vet techs is expected to grow 9.1% through 2034. Too, employment for veterinary assistants is expected to grow by 8.7%, while all other occupations in the U.S. are projected to grow 3% over the same time span.

What Kinds of Institutions Hire Veterinary Techs?

The majority of veterinary technicians work in the veterinary services industry—in fact, 91% of them do. If you focus on a certain specialization during your vet tech program, you might find yourself working somewhere more closely tied to that concentration. Specializations can be completed through professional certification, where you’ll study coursework to prep for the area you’re interested in and take an exam to earn the title offered through professional agencies offering the credential.

A pie chart depicting the top workplaces for vet techs according to the BLS.

Other places veterinary technicians find work include:

  • Laboratories
  • Boarding kennels
  • Animal shelters
  • Emergency animal care facilities
  • Zoos