Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Auburn, AL: $39,119 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Auburn, AL earns a median $39,119/year (≈ $18.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $44,487 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Alabama state average.

$39,119
Median Annual Salary
$18.81/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$29,846
Entry Level (P10)
$55,155
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Auburn, AL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Auburn, AL veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Auburn, Alabama, veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual salary of $39,119, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national median of $49,986. The salary range in this field spans from $29,846 at the 10th percentile to $55,155 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which project a 5.50% annual growth in employment opportunities over the next five years. As the veterinary landscape evolves, those working in specialty hospitals tend to command higher wages compared to their counterparts in general practice settings, illustrating the pay gradient that influences veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Auburn AL.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$29,846$14.35
Lower Range (P25)$31,692$15.23
Median (P50)(typical)$39,119$18.81
Upper Range (P75)$55,155$26.52
Top Earners (P90)$55,155$26.52

Median Salary Position

$29,846$55,155
City Median: $39,119
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

21.74% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Auburn. The median salary is $39,119, compared to the national median of $49,986.$26.9K$34.6K$42.4K$50.1K$57.9K$29.8K10th Pctl$31.7K25th Pctl$39.1KMedian$55.2K75th Pctl$55.2K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Auburn, AL, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,309 (2026 est.). At $39,119, the local median is 21.74% below the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the Auburn metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$752
per week
$3,261
per month
$39,126
per year

At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Auburn Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Auburn median: $39,119/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryAuburn Pays
National Average$49,986-21.74% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Auburn ($39,119) and the US national median ($49,986).Auburn$39,119US National$49,986-21.74%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Auburn, AL earn a median of $39,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.74% lower than the national median of $49,986.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$39,119
Nominal Salary
87.933
CoL Index
$44,487
Adjusted Salary

Auburn has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $39,119. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 87.933, the purchasing-power equivalent is $44,487, a gain of $5,368.$33.3K$39.3K$45.4K$51.4K$57.5K$39,119NominalSalary$44,487CoL Adjusted(CoL: 87.933) 13.72%US Median $50.0K

Auburn, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.933 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $39,119 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,487 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.72% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$33,570

2025 BLS Actual

$37,080

2026 Current Est.

$39,119

2019–2027 Growth

+22.9%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Auburn (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for veterinary technologists and technicians in Auburn. Baseline $33,570 in 2025, projected to $41,271 by 2027.$25.7K$30.4K$35.0K$39.6K$44.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$33.6K$28.4K$28.8K$39.1K$41.6K$32.1K$37.1K$39.1K$41.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$33,570Actual
2020$28,377Actual
2021$28,839Actual
2022$39,110Actual
2023$41,580Actual
2024$32,080Actual
2025$37,080Actual
2026(current)$39,119Estimated
2027$41,271Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 10.5% from $33,570 (2019) to $37,080 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,271 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,701 (22.94%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$29,846$31,692
3-5 years (Mid Career)$31,692$39,119
5+ years (Experienced)$39,119$55,155
10+ years (Top Earner)$55,155$55,155

Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in Auburn

Auburn's job market currently employs approximately 140 veterinary technologists and technicians, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this sector. The cost of living index stands at 87.933, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, there’s an enhanced purchasing power for these roles in this locality. Employers such as specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl generally offer the most competitive compensation packages, especially for those with the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential. The disparity in earnings often arises from the specific skills and certifications of the technician, with specialties in areas like emergency critical care or anesthesia commanding higher pay. For those looking to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in Auburn, pursuing VTS certifications and considering positions in specialty care or corporate settings may provide the best opportunities for advancement and improved salary prospects.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Auburn, AL in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Auburn is $39,119/year ($18.81/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $29,846 at entry level (10th percentile) to $55,155 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Auburn at 21.7% below the national median. Full-time veterinary technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Auburn, AL a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Auburn veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 21.7% below the national average and 0.0% above the Alabama state average. The metro area employs approximately 140 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 87.933, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Auburn?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Auburn is $39,119, and the 90th percentile earns $55,155. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Auburn?

After adjusting for Auburn's cost-of-living index of 87.933 (where 100 equals the national average), the $39,119 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $44,487 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 13.7% further in Auburn compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for veterinary technologists and technicians seeking strong real wages.

How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Auburn?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Auburn earn a median hourly rate of $18.81, which translates to approximately $39,119/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $14.35 for entry-level positions to $26.52 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinary technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Alabama

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CVT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

Methodology & Data Source

Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $37,080 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Auburn metropolitan area. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

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