Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
SOC 29-2056 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians is $43,740, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $44,040, and an estimated 122,000 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +20.6% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +2.5% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 9.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $43,740 | $43,740 | 122,000 |
| 2022 | $38,240 | $39,814 | 118,750 |
| 2021 | $36,850 | $41,437 | 118,670 |
| 2020 | $36,260 | $42,689 | 109,490 |
Nominal change
+20.6%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+2.5%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+9.1%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
134,200
Projected 2034
146,400
Annual Openings
14,300
Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Veterinary Technologists and Technicians earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $43,740. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $54,640 | +24.9% | 2,570 |
| California | $54,190 | +23.9% | 9,320 |
| New York | $52,330 | +19.6% | 5,220 |
| District of Columbia | $49,330 | +12.8% | 140 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $49,220 | +12.5% | 100 |
| Virginia | $49,090 | +12.2% | 2,400 |
| Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $48,620 | +11.2% | 50 |
| Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $48,120 | +10% | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $48,060 | +9.9% | 3,190 |
| Nevada | $47,950 | +9.6% | 540 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$30,180
25th Pct
$36,340
Median
$43,740
75th Pct
$48,900
90th Pct
$59,310
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean State Veterinary Specialists | RI | 2 | $43,056 |
| Equine Medical Center of Ocala | FL | 1 | $35,880 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Healthcare Practitioners & Technical occupations →