What are the main factors that influence a Certified Vet Tech's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Vet Tech?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Vet Tech roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

How does experience change A Certified Vet Tech's salary?

A Certified Vet Tech's salary grows with experience: starting around $38,497 for beginners, reaching about $42,533 at mid-level, and approach $43,101 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Certified Vet Tech?

Certified Vet Tech salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Certified Vet Tech roles are District of Columbia $42,451, California $42,290, Massachusetts $41,727. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Certified Vet Tech roles make?

Salaries for Certified Vet Tech level roles vary by specialization: Certified Scrub Tech: $56,080; Vet Tech: $47,310; Certified Dermatology Tech: $46,412; Vet Tech Assistant: $46,161; Vet: $42,360.

How do different companies affect a Certified Vet Tech's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for Certified Vet Tech roles. Large, established industry leaders like New York Police Department ($97,099) and State of New York - Metropolitan Transportation Authority ($95,962) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $75,106.

Certified Vet Tech Salary in the United States

How much does a Certified Vet Tech make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Vet Tech in the United States is $38,341 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Certified Vet Tech's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $50,476
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,587 to $44,693
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,169

Compensation Planning

Develop a Job Description

Pay Equity

2026 Compensation Trend

AI-Powered HR

Recruit with AI

Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits

View as table

Certified Vet Tech Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$44,693	$3,724	$859	$21
Average	$38,341	$3,195	$737	$18
25th Percentile	$34,587	$2,882	$665	$17

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

Change Search Criteria

Check out Certified Vet Tech Job Openings in the United States

Registered Vet Tech

Banfield Pet Hospitals - New Rome, OH

Registered Vet Tech

Banfield Pet Hospitals - Holland, OH

Registered Vet Tech

Banfield Pet Hospitals - Parma, OH

Vet Tech

My Pet's Vet Group - Cincinnati, OH

Search More Certified Vet Tech Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Certified Vet Tech Salaries

A Certified Vet Tech'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Certified Vet Tech Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Vet Tech'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): $38,497
Early Career (1-2 years): $39,351
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $42,533
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $42,874
Expert (over 8 years): $43,101

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Certified Vet Tech	$38,497
Intermediate Level Certified Vet Tech	$39,351
Senior Level Certified Vet Tech	$42,533
Specialist Level Certified Vet Tech	$42,874
Expert Level Certified Vet Tech	$43,101

View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Certified Vet Tech 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 Certified Vet Teches. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $42,451.
California: $42,290.
Massachusetts: $41,727.

District of Columbia $42,451 California $42,290 Massachusetts $41,727 Washington $41,573 New Jersey $41,558 Alaska $41,504 Connecticut $40,975 New York $40,760

Hawaii $40,074 Rhode Island $39,752 Maryland $39,533 Minnesota $39,234 Colorado $39,119 Illinois $39,081 Oregon $38,935 Delaware $38,828

New Hampshire $38,760 Virginia $38,609 Pennsylvania $38,168 Nevada $37,946 North Dakota $37,873 Michigan $37,758 Wisconsin $37,716 Vermont $37,632

Texas $37,398 Maine $37,382 Arizona $37,359 Ohio $37,333 Georgia $36,980 Indiana $36,804 Wyoming $36,769 Utah $36,715

Iowa $36,692 Kansas $36,508 Louisiana $36,455 North Carolina $36,435 Missouri $36,428 Florida $36,278 Montana $36,198 Nebraska $36,121

Kentucky $36,079 South Carolina $35,926 Tennessee $35,830 Idaho $35,791 New Mexico $35,511 Oklahoma $35,450 Alabama $35,224 South Dakota $34,844

Arkansas $34,637 West Virginia $34,526 Mississippi $34,193

Top Paying Cities for Certified Vet Teches

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: $48,360
San Francisco: $47,830
Oakland: $46,822

San Jose, CA $48,360

San Francisco, CA $47,830

Oakland, CA $46,822

New York, NY $44,145

Paramus, NJ $43,609

Queens Village, NY $43,607

Passaic, NJ $43,570

Bergenfield, NJ $43,567

Stamford, CT $43,483

Huntington, NY $43,467

Newark, NJ $43,183

Bridgeport, CT $43,103

Vallejo, CA $43,026

New Brunswick, NJ $43,011

Petaluma, CA $42,988

Middlesex, NJ $42,915

Somerset, NJ $42,888

Santa Cruz, CA $42,838

Boston, MA $42,605

Monterey, CA $42,470

Seattle, WA $42,382

Santa Rosa, CA $42,374

Los Angeles, CA $42,363

Juneau, AK $42,263

Washington, DC $42,221

Orange, CA $42,085

Santa Ana, CA $41,983

Long Beach, CA $41,945

Anaheim, CA $41,937

Anchorage, AK $41,918

Santa Maria, CA $41,803

Everett, WA $41,796

Danbury, CT $41,661

Bremerton, WA $41,608

Tacoma, WA $41,470

New Suffolk, NY $41,469

Sacramento, CA $41,458

Santa Barbara, CA $41,416

Trenton, NJ $41,374

San Diego, CA $41,374

Brockton, MA $41,332

Fairbanks, AK $41,238

Lompoc, CA $41,140

Lowell, MA $41,109

Ventura, CA $41,102

Nashua, NH $41,094

Stockton, CA $41,090

Modesto, CA $40,810

Poughkeepsie, NY $40,726

Olympia, WA $40,653

Kennewick, WA $40,653

New Haven, CT $40,638

Lawrence, MA $40,500

Hartford, CT $40,461

Riverside, CA $40,454

New Bedford, MA $40,415

Richland, WA $40,415

Bakersfield, CA $40,362

San Bernardino, CA $40,346

New Britain, CT $40,342

Atlantic City, NJ $40,342

New London, CT $40,327

Norwich, CT $40,316

Portsmouth, NH $40,308

Boulder, CO $40,227

Portland, OR $40,174

Worcester, MA $40,170

Minneapolis, MN $40,051

Philadelphia, PA $39,997

Honolulu, HI $39,871

Saint Paul, MN $39,852

Vineland, NJ $39,844

Providence, RI $39,733

Chicago, IL $39,622

Bellingham, WA $39,576

Springfield, MA $39,545

Baltimore, MD $39,533

Chico, CA $39,438

Pittsfield, MA $39,334

Manchester, NH $39,261

Spokane, WA $39,092

Denver, CO $39,089

Albany, NY $38,908

Troy, NY $38,893

Nassau, NY $38,852

Schenectady, NY $38,813

Wilmington, DE $38,782

Burlington, VT $38,728

Salem, OR $38,713

Portland, ME $38,594

Yakima, WA $38,556

Rochester, MN $38,437

Reno, NV $38,418

Fresno, CA $38,418

Milwaukee, WI $38,383

Detroit, MI $38,345

Ann Arbor, MI $38,338

Allentown, PA $38,333

Colorado Springs, CO $38,268

Syracuse, NY $38,249

Carson City, NV $38,249

Houston, TX $38,195

Eugene, OR $38,176

Gary, IN $38,130

Springfield, OR $38,099

Bismarck, ND $38,092

Galveston, TX $38,065

Medford, OR $38,007

Fort Collins, CO $37,992

Concord, NH $37,973

Austin, TX $37,961

Mesa, AZ $37,881

Reading, PA $37,877

Phoenix, AZ $37,873

Dallas, TX $37,862

Saint Cloud, MN $37,825

Madison, WI $37,774

Utica, NY $37,670

Rochester, NY $37,609

Des Moines, IA $37,605

Raleigh, NC $37,601

Atlanta, GA $37,544

Battle Creek, MI $37,532

Salt Lake City, UT $37,521

Lancaster, PA $37,463

Harrisburg, PA $37,409

Kansas City, MO $37,371

Champaign, IL $37,363

Kansas City, KS $37,363

Fort Worth, TX $37,359

Columbus, OH $37,353

Boca Raton, FL $37,344

Pittsburgh, PA $37,329

Richmond, VA $37,313

Indianapolis, IN $37,306

Cleveland, OH $37,302

Las Vegas, NV $37,256

Cincinnati, OH $37,256

Petersburg, VA $37,198

Huntsville, AL $37,141

Lansing, MI $37,115

Lebanon, PA $37,110

Pueblo, CO $37,106

Appleton, WI $37,095

Buffalo, NY $37,080

Dayton, OH $37,068

Racine, WI $37,060

Charlotte, NC $37,057

Saint Louis, MO $37,045

York, PA $37,022

Elkhart, IN $37,022

Gastonia, NC $37,015

Billings, MT $37,006

Beaumont, TX $36,995

Lorain, OH $36,988

Benton Harbor, MI $36,980

Toledo, OH $36,972

Binghamton, NY $36,953

Rock Hill, SC $36,949

Rockford, IL $36,930

Springfield, IL $36,915

Elyria, OH $36,911

Fargo, ND $36,911

Flagstaff, AZ $36,884

Fort Lauderdale, FL $36,861

Duluth, MN $36,838

Miami, FL $36,838

Cheyenne, WY $36,811

Grand Forks, ND $36,811

Bangor, ME $36,727

Cedar Rapids, IA $36,685

Durham, NC $36,669

Louisville, KY $36,665

Grand Rapids, MI $36,658

Hialeah, FL $36,654

Casper, WY $36,600

Scranton, PA $36,554

New Orleans, LA $36,543

Virginia Beach, VA $36,539

Akron, OH $36,520

Peoria, IL $36,470

Sarasota, FL $36,462

Nashville, TN $36,435

Omaha, NE $36,435

Green Bay, WI $36,435

Baton Rouge, LA $36,416

Charleston, SC $36,409

Jamestown, NY $36,389

Davenport, IA $36,389

Tucson, AZ $36,370

Saint Petersburg, FL $36,347

Tampa, FL $36,340

Evansville, IN $36,317

Port Arthur, TX $36,317

Bradenton, FL $36,301

Santa Fe, NM $36,232

Orlando, FL $36,163

Clearwater, FL $36,152

Canton, OH $36,071

La Crosse, WI $36,071

Albuquerque, NM $36,048

Newport News, VA $36,044

High Point, NC $36,033

Ogden, UT $36,018

Corpus Christi, TX $35,987

Norfolk, VA $35,964

Laramie, WY $35,964

Rock Island, IL $35,941

Saginaw, MI $35,933

Jacksonville, FL $35,929

Salisbury, NC $35,922

Boise, ID $35,914

Moline, IL $35,895

Fort Myers, FL $35,883

Memphis, TN $35,876

Tulsa, OK $35,857

Waterloo, IA $35,833

Spartanburg, SC $35,795

Lincoln, NE $35,776

Fort Wayne, IN $35,768

Provo, UT $35,764

Cedar Falls, IA $35,718

San Antonio, TX $35,703

Greensboro, NC $35,688

South Bend, IN $35,684

Savannah, GA $35,642

Muskegon, MI $35,626

Birmingham, AL $35,623

Winston Salem, NC $35,604

Lake Charles, LA $35,511

Anderson, IN $35,504

Lexington, KY $35,492

Augusta, GA $35,481

Greenville, SC $35,481

Lima, OH $35,450

Wichita, KS $35,446

Tuscaloosa, AL $35,446

Columbia, SC $35,412

Springfield, OH $35,404

Asheville, NC $35,343

Bloomington, IN $35,316

Knoxville, TN $35,178

Shreveport, LA $35,174

Wilmington, NC $35,124

Roanoke, VA $35,124

Topeka, KS $35,055

Frankfort, KY $35,051

Oklahoma City, OK $35,025

Chillicothe, OH $35,009

Longview, TX $35,005

Melbourne, FL $35,001

Sioux Falls, SD $34,940

Mobile, AL $34,936

Terre Haute, IN $34,921

Altoona, PA $34,898

Amarillo, TX $34,871

Killeen, TX $34,860

Fayetteville, AR $34,829

Chattanooga, TN $34,817

Sioux City, IA $34,783

Idaho Falls, ID $34,775

Lynchburg, VA $34,745

Gainesville, FL $34,695

Portsmouth, OH $34,676

Little Rock, AR $34,668

Lafayette, LA $34,653

Youngstown, OH $34,653

Daytona Beach, FL $34,630

Clarksville, TN $34,626

Pensacola, FL $34,622

Temple, TX $34,619

Hopkinsville, KY $34,507

Erie, PA $34,499

Florence, SC $34,484

Charleston, WV $34,423

Great Falls, MT $34,403

Macon, GA $34,350

Tallahassee, FL $34,346

Fayetteville, NC $34,338

Waco, TX $34,331

Helena, MT $34,304

Pine Bluff, AR $34,289

Vincennes, IN $34,242

Lubbock, TX $34,227

Alamogordo, NM $34,204

Twin Falls, ID $34,169

Rapid City, SD $34,158

Jackson, MS $34,089

Huntington, WV $34,086

Greenville, MS $34,085

Parkersburg, WV $34,046

Montgomery, AL $34,039

Wichita Falls, TX $34,001

Springfield, MO $34,001

Biloxi, MS $33,982

Monroe, LA $33,943

Johnstown, PA $33,916

Sumter, SC $33,901

Columbus, GA $33,897

Pascagoula, MS $33,824

Abilene, TX $33,824

Kingsport, TN $33,725

Albany, GA $33,725

Gulfport, MS $33,713

Alexandria, LA $33,587

Fort Smith, AR $33,491

El Paso, TX $33,387

Las Cruces, NM $33,215

Harlingen, TX $33,117

Pocatello, ID $33,111

Florence, AL $33,061

Brownsville, TX $33,054

Mcallen, TX $32,973

Dothan, AL $32,920

Columbus, MS $32,692

Altus, OK $32,513

Lawton, OK $32,440

Pierre, SD $32,302

What Skills Can Increase a Certified Vet Tech's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Customer Service (Mentioned in 2.45% 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.
CPR (Mentioned in 2.63% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
Pediatric (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

See More Skills

Skills	Demand Percentage
Customer Service	2.45%
CPR	2.63%
Pediatric	1.19%

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 Vet Tech's salary.

Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Acute Care: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Flexibility	$44,859	17%
Dedication	$43,709	14%
Acute Care	$41,408	8%
Commitment	$41,025	7%
Leadership	$39,491	3%
Cardiology	$39,108	2%

Get Latest Data

Certified Vet Tech Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Vet Tech roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 50% above the average. Conversely, Certified Vet Tech positions in Edu., Gov't & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Vet Tech as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Certified Vet Tech

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare	$57,512	$28.0	50%

How Education impacts a Certified Vet Tech's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Vet Teches enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Certified Vet Tech with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $38,691 and $40,882).

Certified Vet Tech Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Certified Vet Tech

No Diploma 1.1%

High School 64.0%

Associates 13.5%

Bachelors 15.7%

Masters 4.5%

Doctorate 1.1%

view as table

Degree Level	% of user with this level of education
No Diploma	1.1%
High School	64.0%
Associates	13.5%
Bachelors	15.7%
Masters	4.5%
Doctorate	1.1%

view as graph

Certified Vet Tech Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Vet Tech'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 July 01, 2026

$34,587

Average $38,341/year

$44,693

$2,882

Average $3,195/month

$3,724

$665

Average $737/week

$859

$17

Average $18/hour

$21

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$44,693	$3,724	$859	$21
Average	$38,341	$3,195	$737	$18
25th Percentile	$34,587	$2,882	$665	$17

Salaries of jobs related to Certified Vet Tech

Salary Trends for Certified Vet Tech

Salaries for a Certified Vet Tech can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,745 in 2023 to around $52,697 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Certified Vet Tech salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Certified Vet Tech Over Time

2022

$???

2023

$54,745

2024

$53,623

2025

$52,697

2026

$???

2027

$???

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$54,745
2024	$53,623
2025	$52,697
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for Certified Vet Tech

Social Security

401(k)

Disability

Healthcare

Pension

Time Off (days)

For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit

the United States

Find Your Next Certified Vet Tech Job

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

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
Job and employee pricing reports
Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.

Learn about