Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Bristol, CT: $53,504 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Bristol, CT earns a median $53,504/year (≈ $25.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $49,587 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, Connecticut, the projected median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 is $53,504, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape compared to the national figure of $49,986. With a salary range spanning from $38,556 at the 10th percentile to $72,857 at the 90th percentile, the market presents opportunities for growth and advancement. These numbers, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight a robust pay scale, particularly influenced by corporate player presence, such as VCA and BluePearl. As Bristol continues to be home to these corporate chains alongside general practice clinics, the city's veterinary technologist and technician salary outlook remains promising and offers a solid foundation for those entering the field.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,556 | $18.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,421 | $21.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,504 | $25.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,409 | $31.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,857 | $35.03 |
Median Salary Position
7.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, CT, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,301 (2026 est.). At $53,504, the local median is 7.04% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Bristol median: $53,504/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $53,936 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | +7.04% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Bristol, CT earn a median of $53,504 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.04% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $53,936.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,504 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,587 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,806
2025 BLS Actual
$50,715
2026 Current Est.
$53,504
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,806 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,812 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,444 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,932 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,819 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,238 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,715 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,504 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,447 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $37,806 (2019) to $50,715 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,641 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $38,556 – $45,421 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,421 – $53,504 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,504 – $66,409 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,409 – $72,857 |
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 Bristol
In terms of job availability, Bristol currently employs 13 veterinary technologists and technicians, indicating a specialized but concentrated job market. The area's cost of living index stands at 107.9, which suggests that while salaries are competitive, the higher living expenses may affect overall purchasing power. Among local employers, corporate chain hospitals often provide the highest salaries, notably those in specialty referral settings, where credentialing in areas such as emergency care, anesthesia, or internal medicine can command salaries at the upper end of the pay scale. Factors contributing to salary disparities include the presence of the Veterinary Technician Specialist credential, the tiered pay structure of corporate chains, and differential shifts at emergency facilities. For those in Bristol looking to maximize their pay, pursuing additional certifications and experience in specialty fields can be advantageous, as specialty technicians typically see a substantial increase in compensation compared to general practice positions.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
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 $50,715 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Bristol 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 Bristol is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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