Veterinary Technician Salary by State

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vet tech weighs new puppy as family looks on

Vet Tech Median Annual Salary

According to The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) 2021 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: $36,850

Projected job growth: 19.6%

10th Percentile: $28,370

25th Percentile: $29,810

75th Percentile: $45,750

90th Percentile: $48,100

Projected job growth: 19.6%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $29,180 $22,590 $46,100
Alaska $47,040 $29,150 $47,550
Arizona $36,690 $29,110 $46,860
Arkansas $29,120 $22,880 $37,510
California $45,540 $31,220 $59,360
Colorado $37,630 $29,380 $47,850
Connecticut $46,190 $30,610 $59,390
Delaware $36,360 $28,240 $49,700
District of Columbia $47,010 $36,820 $184,640
Florida $36,520 $28,340 $46,540
Georgia $36,540 $26,150 $49,680
Hawaii $38,940 $36,590 $57,550
Idaho $36,330 $28,620 $46,190
Illinois $37,950 $29,310 $51,620
Indiana $35,980 $28,010 $46,150
Iowa $35,930 $28,820 $46,210
Kansas $36,140 $27,980 $46,410
Kentucky $29,180 $22,990 $38,260
Louisiana $28,040 $18,680 $37,550
Maine $37,180 $29,550 $46,340
Maryland $37,390 $29,730 $47,690
Massachusetts $44,210 $35,460 $56,350
Michigan $37,440 $29,270 $47,850
Minnesota $37,240 $29,650 $46,780
Mississippi $27,830 $22,250 $36,900
Missouri $32,170 $22,850 $42,050
Montana $36,210 $22,730 $44,190
Nebraska $36,940 $28,070 $47,790
Nevada $46,230 $28,950 $59,260
New Hampshire $38,880 $30,090 $48,030
New Jersey $38,920 $29,590 $54,950
New Mexico $30,020 $23,050 $45,850
New York $46,020 $30,440 $59,340
North Carolina $36,590 $27,340 $47,090
North Dakota $36,840 $29,210 $46,880
Ohio $36,350 $28,180 $47,440
Oklahoma $35,630 $22,960 $38,980
Oregon $37,630 $29,340 $58,670
Pennsylvania $36,720 $28,750 $48,100
Rhode Island $37,190 $29,670 $46,870
South Carolina $36,680 $28,320 $48,830
South Dakota $36,380 $28,500 $46,190
Tennessee $30,600 $23,450 $45,850
Texas $30,430 $23,090 $43,940
Utah $30,620 $23,700 $37,830
Vermont $36,620 $29,030 $37,570
Virginia $44,520 $28,710 $58,120
Washington $47,010 $36,990 $60,210
West Virginia $29,690 $22,180 $43,500
Wisconsin $36,880 $28,980 $47,400
Wyoming $29,450 $28,800 $45,850

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. 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 $36,850
Animal Control Workers $39,160
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $29,780
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $57,800

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.

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 19.6% through 2031. Too, employment for veterinary assistants is expected to grow by 19.4%, while all other occupations in the U.S. are projected to grow 5% over the same time span.

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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.

Other places veterinary technicians find work include:

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