How Much Does a Vet Tech Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$47,380
Vet techs in the U.S. earn a median of $47,380 a year, or $22.78 an hour. Half of vet techs earn more than $47,380 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $63,180.
Pay percentiles for vet techs
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.17 | $35,710 |
| 25th | $18.71 | $38,910 |
| 50th (median) | $22.78 | $47,380 |
| 75th | $27.72 | $57,650 |
| 90th | $30.38 | $63,180 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2056). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for vet techs
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $61,270 | $29.46 | +29% |
| California | $60,630 | $29.15 | +28% |
| Washington | $59,740 | $28.72 | +26% |
| New York | $59,010 | $28.37 | +25% |
| Minnesota | $57,270 | $27.54 | +21% |
| Oregon | $55,810 | $26.83 | +18% |
| Virginia | $52,090 | $25.04 | +10% |
| Connecticut | $50,950 | $24.49 | +8% |
| Maine | $50,810 | $24.43 | +7% |
| Nevada | $50,250 | $24.16 | +6% |
| United States | $47,380 | $22.78 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many vet techs are there?
BLS counts about 129,140 vet techs employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Veterinary Technologists and Technicians”. The most jobs are in Texas (16,730), Florida (11,380) and California (11,310).
The mean (average) annual wage is $49,120, higher than the median of $47,380.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,948
- Biweekly
- $1,822
- Weekly
- $911
- Daily (8 hours)
- $182
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do vet techs make an hour?
The median hourly wage for vet techs is $22.78. The middle 50% earn between $18.71 and $27.72 an hour.
Which state pays vet techs the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for vet techs at $61,270, +29% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for vet techs?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of vet techs earn less than $35,710 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.