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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Vet Tech in Illinois is $39,082 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, a Certified Vet Tech's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Certified Vet Tech Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $45,556 | $3,796 | $876 | $22 |
| Average | $39,082 | $3,257 | $752 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,254 | $2,938 | $678 | $17 |
PetVet Care Centers - Roscoe, IL
PetVet Care Centers - Collinsville, IL
PetVet Care Centers - Des Plaines, IL
PetVet Care Centers - Metamora, IL
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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Certified Vet Tech | $39,241 |
| Intermediate Level Certified Vet Tech | $40,111 |
| Senior Level Certified Vet Tech | $43,355 |
| Specialist Level Certified Vet Tech | $43,703 |
| Expert Level Certified Vet Tech | $43,934 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
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:
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $58,623 | $28.0 | 50% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $45,556 | $3,796 | $876 | $22 |
| Average | $39,082 | $3,257 | $752 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,254 | $2,938 | $678 | $17 |
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.
PetVet Care Centers
Washington, IL
PetVet Care Centers | Washington, IL
Practice. Washington Veterinary Medical Clinic was established in 1962 and in 2009 the facility was remodeled and doubled in size to account for our tremen... more
5 Days Ago
PetVet Care Centers
Rock Island, IL
PetVet Care Centers | Rock Island, IL
Practice. Rock Island Animal Hospital is an AAHAAccredited practice and we go the extra mile to ensure our clients' pets experience a stressfree appointmen... more
5 Days Ago
PetVet Care Centers
Normal, IL
PetVet Care Centers | Normal, IL
Practice. SmartVet is the only animal hospital in the Bloomington and Normal, IL, area that can come to your home. Our unique mobile veterinary service bri... more
5 Days Ago
PetVet Care Centers
Chicago, IL
PetVet Care Centers | Chicago, IL
Practice. North Avenue Animal Hospital provides a broad spectrum of diagnostic procedures through both in-house testing and the use of external laboratorie... more
6 Days Ago
Heartland Veterinary Partners
Coal City, IL
Heartland Veterinary Partners | Coal City, IL
Practice. Shirkey Vet Clinic opened its doors in 2007. We are a general service animal hospital and welcome pet patients needing routine medical, surgical,... more
3 Days Ago
Prime Healthcare
Chicago, IL
Prime Healthcare | Chicago, IL
Certified Surgical Technologist. At Resurrection Medical Center, your role as a Certified Surgical Tech goes beyond assisting in proceduresyou become a cri... more
4 Days Ago
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