Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Commerce City, CO: $48,997 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Commerce City, CO earns a median $48,997/year (≈ $23.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Commerce City's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $46,664 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Colorado state average.

$48,997
Median Annual Salary
$23.56/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$37,440
Entry Level (P10)
$64,549
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

Veterinary technologists and technicians in Commerce City, Colorado, can anticipate a median annual salary of $48,997 in 2026, reflecting the city's evolving job market and structural variations within veterinary care settings. The salary range for this profession spans from $37,440 at the 10th percentile to $64,549 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy diversity in earning potential tied to specialization and setting. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, incorporating regional price adjustments that illustrate the distinct financial landscape within Commerce City. As the demand for skilled veterinary professionals increases, those working in specialty hospitals typically earn more than their counterparts at general practice clinics, highlighting the potential for enhanced earnings through specialization.

About the Commerce City Market

Salary estimated from Colorado average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$37,440$18.00
Lower Range (P25)$40,293$19.37
Median (P50)(typical)$48,997$23.56
Upper Range (P75)$59,475$28.59
Top Earners (P90)$64,549$31.04

Median Salary Position

$37,440$64,549
City Median: $48,997
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

1.98% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Commerce City

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Commerce City. The median salary is $48,997, compared to the national median of $49,986.$33.7K$42.2K$50.7K$59.3K$67.8K$37.4K10th Pctl$40.3K25th Pctl$49.0KMedian$59.5K75th Pctl$64.5K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Commerce City, CO, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,109 (2026 est.). At $48,997, the local median is 1.98% 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 Commerce City metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$942
per week
$4,083
per month
$49,001
per year

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

How Commerce City Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Commerce City median: $48,997/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryCommerce City Pays
Colorado Average$50,513-3.00% less
National Average$49,986-1.98% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Commerce City ($48,997) with Colorado average ($50,513) and the US national median ($49,986).Commerce City$48,997Colorado Avg$50,513-3.00%US National$49,986-1.98%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Commerce City, CO earn a median of $48,997 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.98% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $50,513.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$48,997
Nominal Salary
105
CoL Index
$46,664
Adjusted Salary

Commerce City has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.

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

The nominal salary is $48,997. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 105, the purchasing-power equivalent is $46,664, a loss of $2,333.$39.7K$44.1K$48.6K$53.0K$57.5K$48,997NominalSalary$46,664CoL Adjusted(CoL: 105) -4.76%US Median $50.0K

Commerce City, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,997 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,664 — a 4.76% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$34,622

2025 BLS Actual

$46,443

2026 Current Est.

$48,997

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Commerce City (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 Commerce City. Baseline $34,622 in 2025, projected to $51,692 by 2027.$31.2K$37.2K$43.2K$49.1K$55.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$34.6K$35.5K$36.1K$37.5K$42.9K$42.8K$46.4K$49.0K$51.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$34,622Actual
2020$35,543Actual
2021$36,121Actual
2022$37,484Actual
2023$42,875Actual
2024$42,781Actual
2025$46,443Actual
2026(current)$48,997Estimated
2027$51,692Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Commerce City metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $34,622 (2019) to $46,443 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,692 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,070 (49.30%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Commerce City 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)$37,440$40,293
3-5 years (Mid Career)$40,293$48,997
5+ years (Experienced)$48,997$59,475
10+ years (Top Earner)$59,475$64,549

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 Commerce City

The local job market in Commerce City currently employs 16 veterinary technologists and technicians, reflecting a compact yet crucial workforce. With a cost-of-living index at 105, salaries in this area are slightly elevated compared to the national average, impacting the overall purchasing power of techs and their families. Among local employers, specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains like VCA often lead in compensation due to the complexity of care provided and operational scale. The wide salary range illustrates factors such as the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential's influence on pay, especially for those in emergency or anesthesiology roles, and the hierarchy of corporate pay scales which offer differentials based on experience and responsibility. Maximizing earning potential in this market may involve pursuing specialty certifications or seeking roles at higher-paying facilities, ensuring a strategic approach aligns with both market trends and personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Commerce City, CO in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Commerce City is $48,997/year ($23.56/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $37,440 at entry level (10th percentile) to $64,549 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Commerce City at 2.0% 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 Commerce City, CO a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Commerce City veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 2.0% below the national average and 3.0% below the Colorado state average. The metro area employs approximately 16 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 105, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Commerce City?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Commerce City is $48,997, and the 90th percentile earns $64,549. 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 Commerce City?

After adjusting for Commerce City's cost-of-living index of 105 (where 100 equals the national average), the $48,997 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $46,664 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Commerce City reduce the effective value of your salary by 4.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

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

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Commerce City earn a median hourly rate of $23.56, which translates to approximately $48,997/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $18.00 for entry-level positions to $31.04 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

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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 $46,443 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Commerce City 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

Salary data for Commerce City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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