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Veterinary Technician Salary in the United States

How much does a Veterinary Technician make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Veterinary Technician in the United States is $47,311 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Veterinary Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $58,596
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,877 to $53,218
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,751
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Veterinary Technician Salaries

A 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 Veterinary Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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): $45,927
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $46,183
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $46,952
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $49,251
  • Expert (over 8 years): $50,397
Levels Salary
Entry Level Veterinary Technician$45,927
Intermediate Level Veterinary Technician$46,183
Senior Level Veterinary Technician$46,952
Specialist Level Veterinary Technician$49,251
Expert Level Veterinary Technician$50,397
View as Graph

How Do Veterinary Technicians Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Veterinary Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $52,383.
  • California: $52,184.
  • Massachusetts: $51,489.

Top Paying Cities for Veterinary Technician

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: $59,673
  • San Francisco: $59,020
  • Oakland: $57,776

What Skills Can Increase a 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.46%
Animal Care 3.48%
Nursing Care 2.39%
See More Skills

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 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 $69,547
47%
Critical Care $68,128
44%
Patient Care $58,666
24%
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Veterinary Technician Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Veterinary Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $51,920. While startup companies pay approximate $44,010.

Veterinary Technician Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $44,010
Growth Stage 51~500 $46,521
Established 501~5000 $50,161
Enterprise 5000+ $51,920

Veterinary Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 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, Veterinary Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Veterinary Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Veterinary Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$61,504$30.030%
Hospitality & Leisure$56,773$27.020%
Healthcare$52,042$25.010%

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

Understanding how a 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
$43,877
Average $47,311/year
$53,218
$3,656
Average $3,943/month
$4,435
$844
Average $910/week
$1,023
$21
Average $23/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,218 $4,435 $1,023 $26
Average $47,311 $3,943 $910 $23
25th Percentile $43,877 $3,656 $844 $21

Most common benefits for Veterinary Technician

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Veterinary Technician

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

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FAQ about Veterinary Technician

1. Where can a Veterinary Technician earn the most?

A Veterinary Technician's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Veterinary Technician earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Veterinary Technician is $59,673.

2. What is the highest pay for Veterinary Technician?

The highest pay for Veterinary Technician is $58,596.

3. What is the lowest pay for Veterinary Technician?

The lowest pay for Veterinary Technician is $40,751.

4. What are the responsibilities of Veterinary Technician?

Assists veterinarian with exams, surgeries, and first aid. Collects and documents case history and treatment details. Monitors vital signs and condition of animals being treated and provides nursing care. Instructs pet owners on how to administer medication and other animal care skills. Typically requires an associate degree. Requires certification and/or state license. Typically reports to a veterinarian. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Veterinary Technician?

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

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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