Average Veterinary Technician Salary: $43,853 (2026)

The average veterinary technician salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $43,853 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $37,456 in Oklahoma City, OK to $59,973 in San Francisco, CA.

The average hourly rate for veterinary technicians is $21.08 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $18.01/hour in lower-paying areas to $28.83/hour in top-paying cities like San Francisco.

San Francisco, CA is the highest paying metro area for veterinary technicians, with a median salary of $59,973 per year. This is 37% above the national average of $43,853. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.

Entry-level veterinary technicians (10th percentile) typically earn around $28,529 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $43,853 within 3-5 years of career growth.

The average veterinary technician salary of $43,853 is 26% lower than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $63,622 or more annually.

Oklahoma City, OK has the lowest veterinary technician salary at $37,456 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $22,517.

There are approximately 5,911 veterinary technicians employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a specialized job market with opportunities in healthcare industries nationwide.

The biggest factors affecting veterinary technician salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $22,517 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, Practice type — specialty/emergency hospitals (cardiology, oncology, neurology, surgery) pay significantly above general practice; 24-hour emergency clinics often offer premium pay for overnight and weekend coverage, VTS credential — Veterinary Technician Specialists in anesthesia, ECC, or dentistry earn $15,000–$30,000 above non-credentialed general practice techs. Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.

In-demand skills that boost veterinary technician salaries include: Anesthesia monitoring — interpreting vital sign trends under inhalant (isoflurane, sevoflurane) and injectable anesthesia; recognizing and managing anesthetic complications, Venipuncture and IV catheter placement — cephalic, saphenous, and jugular access in dogs, cats, and exotic species; catheter maintenance and fluid therapy management, Diagnostic imaging — positioning patients for orthogonal radiographic projections, applying radiation safety protocols, and processing digital images for veterinary interpretation, In-house laboratory diagnostics — hematology, chemistry, urinalysis, fecal flotation, cytology slide preparation, and rapid ELISA testing (heartworm, parvovirus, FIV/FeLV), Dental prophylaxis — ultrasonic scaling, polishing, dental charting on AVDC-standard forms, intraoral radiographs, and assisting with extractions. Practice type — specialty/emergency hospitals (cardiology, oncology, neurology, surgery) pay significantly above general practice; 24-hour emergency clinics often offer premium pay for overnight and weekend coverage Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($54,079).

Veterinary Technician salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $43,853 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The job outlook is positive, which typically supports continued salary growth. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.