Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Birmingham, AL: $39,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Birmingham, AL earns a median $39,141/year (≈ $18.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $42,710 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Birmingham, Alabama, the veterinary technologist and technician salary is projected to reach a median of $39,141 in 2026, significantly lower compared to the national median of $49,986. The salary range varies notably, from $31,650 at the 10th percentile to as much as $52,666 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities in this field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, also highlight the impact that specialized credentials, such as VTS in emergency and critical care or anesthesia, can have on earning potential in the market. With a growing demand for veterinary services, especially given the workforce shortages that have impacted many regions, pursuing such specialties could greatly enhance a technician’s financial prospects in Birmingham’s competitive environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,650 | $15.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,842 | $15.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,141 | $18.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,339 | $20.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,666 | $25.32 |
Median Salary Position
21.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,016 (2026 est.). At $39,141, the local median is 21.7% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Birmingham Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $39,141/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $39,101 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -21.70% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $39,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.70% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.10% above the Alabama state average of $39,101.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $39,141 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,710 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,630
2025 BLS Actual
$37,100
2026 Current Est.
$39,141
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,293 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 10.3% from $33,630 (2019) to $37,100 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,293 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,663 (22.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,650 – $32,842 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,842 – $39,141 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,141 – $43,339 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,339 – $52,666 |
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 Birmingham
Birmingham’s job market for veterinary technologists and technicians is robust, with approximately 530 professionals employed in the area. The cost-of-living index of 91.644 indicates that living expenses are below the national average, which can positively influence disposable income despite lower salaries compared to national trends. Common employers in the area range from general practice clinics to corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, with specialty referral hospitals typically offering the highest pay scales. Factors contributing to wage disparities include specialization credentials, with those holding VTS titles earning significantly more, and pay structures varying between corporate providers and independent practices. To maximize earnings, aspiring veterinary technologists in Birmingham should consider gaining specialized qualifications and seeking positions in high-demand areas like emergency medicine or specialty practices, where the pay is often enhanced by shift differentials and mentoring roles.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Birmingham?
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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.
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 $37,100 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Birmingham 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, 7-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