Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $49,195 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $49,195/year (≈ $23.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $48,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Colorado Springs, the 2026 median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to be $49,195, which is slightly below the national median of $49,986. The salary range in this area spans from $37,917 at the tenth percentile to $61,433 at the ninetieth percentile, based on data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. Local corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl often set the pay scale in the region, impacting what individuals can expect to earn. The market for veterinary technologists and technicians remains competitive, reflecting a broader trend of rising compensation in response to workforce shortages across the veterinary field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,917 | $18.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,908 | $23.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,195 | $23.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,122 | $28.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,433 | $29.53 |
Median Salary Position
1.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, CO, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,516 (2026 est.). At $49,195, the local median is 1.58% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Colorado Springs Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Colorado Springs median: $49,195/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colorado Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $50,508 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -1.58% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $49,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.58% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.60% below the Colorado state average of $50,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,195 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,850 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,540
2025 BLS Actual
$46,630
2026 Current Est.
$49,195
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,195 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 27.6% from $36,540 (2019) to $46,630 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,360 (42.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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) | $37,917 – $47,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,908 – $49,195 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,195 – $59,122 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,122 – $61,433 |
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 Colorado Springs
The local job market in Colorado Springs is robust, with approximately 500 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed. Given the cost of living index at 100.707, which is slightly above the national average, take-home salaries can feel stretched. Employers that typically offer higher pay include corporate chain hospitals and specialty referral centers, which often accommodate the complex needs of pets that general practice clinics might not handle. The substantial pay differential experienced in this field often reflects credentials like the VTS specialty in emergency and critical care, among others. To maximize pay in Colorado Springs, aspiring veterinary technologists should consider pursuing specialty certifications and seeking positions at corporate practices or referral hospitals, where pay scales tend to be more favorable.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $46,630 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Colorado Springs 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