Hourly Wage for Certified Veterinary Technician Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Certified Veterinary Technician?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Certified Veterinary Technician in the United States is $23, which translates to an annual salary of about $47,400.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $28 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $21 to $26 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $20 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $21 10% $20 90% $28 75% $26 $23 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Certified Veterinary Technician Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $53,300 $4,442 $1,025 $26
Average $47,400 $3,950 $912 $23
25th Percentile $43,900 $3,658 $844 $21
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Key Factors That Influence Certified Veterinary Technician Salaries

A Certified Veterinary Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Certified Veterinary Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Veterinary Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $45,990
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $46,251
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $47,034
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $49,337
  • Expert (over 8 years): $50,482
Levels Salary
Entry Level Certified Veterinary Technician$45,990
Intermediate Level Certified Veterinary Technician$46,251
Senior Level Certified Veterinary Technician$47,034
Specialist Level Certified Veterinary Technician$49,337
Expert Level Certified Veterinary Technician$50,482
$45,990 0 yr
$46,251 < 2 yrs
$47,034 2-4 yrs
$49,337 5-8 yrs
$50,482 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Certified Veterinary Technicians

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $59,700
  • San Francisco: $59,100
  • Oakland: $57,800

What Skills Can Increase a Certified Veterinary Technician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.46% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Animal Care (Mentioned in 3.48% Job Postings): Providing animals' physical and mental needs to protect their welfare by treating them all with care.
  • Nursing Care (Mentioned in 2.39% Job Postings): Nursing Care means assistance provided for the health care needs of sick or disabled individuals, by or under the direction of licensed nursing personnel.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.46%
Animal Care 3.48%
Nursing Care 2.39%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Certified Veterinary Technician's salary.
  • Internal Medicine: Can increase your salary by up to 47%.
  • Critical Care: Can increase your salary by up to 44%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Internal Medicine
$69,678
47%
Critical Care
$68,256
44%
Patient Care
$58,776
24%
Anesthesia
$56,406
19%
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Certified Veterinary Technician Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Certified Veterinary Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $52,018. While startup companies pay approximate $44,093.

Certified Veterinary Technician Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$44,093
Growth Stage51~500$46,608
Established501~5000$50,255
Enterprise5000+$52,018

Certified Veterinary Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Veterinary Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Hospitality & Leisure sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Certified Veterinary Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Certified Veterinary Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Certified Veterinary Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$61,620$30.030%
Hospitality & Leisure$56,880$27.020%
Healthcare$52,140$25.010%

Certified Veterinary Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Veterinary Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Certified Veterinary Technician

Salaries for a Certified Veterinary Technician can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $50,038 in 2023 to around $49,565 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Certified Veterinary Technician salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Certified Veterinary Technician Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$50,038
2024
$49,982
2025
$49,565
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $50,038
2024 $49,982
2025 $49,565
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Certified Veterinary Technician

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Certified Veterinary Technician

Here are companies hiring for Certified Veterinary Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Certified Veterinary Technician Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Veterinary Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Darby Creek Veterinary Clinic

    Columbus, OH

    Darby Creek Veterinary Clinic | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job description. Darby Creek Animal Clinic, a well-established, family-owned, and compassionate veterinary practice locat... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Mission Pet Health

    Columbus, OH

    Mission Pet Health | Columbus, OH

    Veterinary Technician Position at Bethel Animal Hospital. You are invited to join the highly respected team at Bethel Animal Hospital, where our mission is... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Carevet

    Columbus, OH

    Carevet | Columbus, OH

    Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) CareVet of Columbus. Join a team committed to the highest standards of veterinary medicine. CareVet of Columbus is g... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Alliance Animal Health

    Columbus, OH

    Alliance Animal Health | Columbus, OH

    Registered Veterinary Technician. Since 1972, Northarlington Animal Clinic has proudly served the northwest Columbus community as a trusted partner in vete... more

    5 Days Ago

  • MedVet

    Columbus, OH

    MedVet | Columbus, OH

    Critical Care Registered Veterinary Technician$3,000 Signing Bonus. MedVet is a fast-growing Emergency and Specialty provider with practices nationwide. We... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Ohio State University

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Veterinary Care Technician 2 (RVT). The Veterinary Medical Center is seeking a skilled and motivated Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) to join the Spe... more

    3 Days Ago

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FAQ about Certified Veterinary Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Veterinary Technician?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Veterinary Technician roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the highest paid veterinary technician?

The highest paid Certified Veterinary Technicians can earn up to $47,900 annually. The salary range for this profession typically starts at a minimum of $33,900, with a median salary around $40,300. This reflects the varying levels of experience and specialization within the field.

3. How to make 6 figures as a vet tech?

To make six figures as a vet tech, consider specializing in high-demand areas like emergency and critical care or anesthesiology. While the average salary ranges from $33,900 to $47,900, advanced certifications and experience can lead to significantly higher earnings. Continuous education and skill enhancement are key to maximizing your income potential.

4. Is vet school longer than med school?

Veterinary school typically takes four years to complete, similar to medical school, which also generally lasts four years. However, the path to becoming a veterinarian may include additional undergraduate coursework. After graduation, Certified Veterinary Technicians can expect salaries ranging from $33,900 to $47,900, with a median salary of $40,300.

5. Which pays more vet tech or vet assistant?

The financial compensation for veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants reflects their education, training, and scope of responsibilities. On average, veterinary technicians earn between $33,900 and $47,900, with a median salary of $40,300. This is generally higher than veterinary assistants, who typically earn less due to their different levels of training and responsibilities.

6. How much do vet techs make an hour?

Certified Veterinary Technicians typically earn between $16.27 and $23.06 per hour, based on a salary range of $33,900 to $47,900 annually. The median hourly wage is approximately $19.37. Salaries can vary by state, with some regions offering higher pay due to demand and cost of living.

7. How long is vet tech school in USA?

Vet tech school in the USA typically takes 2 to 4 years to complete, offering either an Associate or Bachelor's degree. The duration depends on whether you attend full-time or part-time. After graduation, Certified Veterinary Technicians can expect salaries ranging from $33,900 to $47,900, with a median salary of $40,300. Choose a program that fits your career goals.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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