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) 2022 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: $38,240

Projected job growth: 20.5%

10th Percentile: $29,000

25th Percentile: $34,510

75th Percentile: $46,740

90th Percentile: $54,680

Projected job growth: 20.5%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $30,610 $22,770 $42,540
Alaska $49,330 $35,660 $51,980
Arizona $38,380 $30,730 $47,300
Arkansas $30,000 $28,470 $39,570
California $47,880 $37,180 $63,370
Colorado $39,540 $34,380 $50,970
Connecticut $45,110 $32,440 $57,700
Delaware $45,270 $30,740 $55,690
District of Columbia $50,130 $37,120 $63,060
Florida $36,800 $28,990 $48,400
Georgia $37,610 $28,660 $50,480
Hawaii $41,110 $35,110 $49,730
Idaho $36,550 $28,440 $44,370
Illinois $39,950 $29,880 $59,600
Indiana $37,500 $30,270 $46,640
Iowa $36,790 $30,040 $47,810
Kansas $35,170 $24,200 $47,650
Kentucky $30,750 $24,960 $45,510
Louisiana $28,000 $21,710 $37,740
Maine $44,050 $36,860 $54,640
Maryland $38,720 $29,470 $57,760
Massachusetts $44,870 $37,310 $51,230
Michigan $39,070 $33,790 $48,710
Minnesota $39,980 $32,930 $50,120
Mississippi $30,680 $23,730 $38,130
Missouri $37,220 $28,600 $46,880
Montana $36,160 $22,200 $44,790
Nebraska $36,500 $27,220 $47,460
Nevada $45,540 $29,710 $55,540
New Hampshire $44,470 $36,210 $57,160
New Jersey $45,140 $36,790 $58,360
New Mexico $35,740 $27,260 $47,110
New York $47,720 $35,980 $63,230
North Carolina $37,450 $28,340 $47,830
North Dakota $37,320 $31,910 $45,970
Ohio $37,330 $29,620 $47,720
Oklahoma $35,200 $23,220 $44,750
Oregon $39,550 $31,050 $57,290
Pennsylvania $39,220 $29,760 $55,260
Rhode Island $37,890 $37,240 $57,970
South Carolina $37,410 $29,580 $53,030
South Dakota $38,060 $30,660 $44,050
Tennessee $35,620 $28,380 $47,400
Texas $33,680 $24,020 $44,730
Utah $36,180 $26,310 $45,620
Vermont $37,980 $31,320 $44,700
Virginia $45,830 $30,490 $57,810
Washington $49,940 $39,040 $61,330
West Virginia $29,850 $22,330 $39,280
Wisconsin $39,270 $31,770 $54,690
Wyoming $34,470 $29,620 $62,390

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. 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 $38,240
Animal Control Workers $39,320
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $34,740
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $57,380

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 20.5% through 2032. Too, employment for veterinary assistants is expected to grow by 20.5%, 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