Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Delaware: $47,965 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $47,965/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $47,163 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($49,166), Newark ($47,874), Bear ($46,176).
In Delaware, the projected average median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 is $47,965, which is approximately 4.0% lower than the national median of $49,986. The salary range across different cities varies significantly, with Wilmington offering the highest average at $51,870, while Middletown has the lowest at $46,969. This salary discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and local economic conditions. Delaware requires veterinary technicians to be licensed, which includes passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). The state’s scope of practice laws allow technicians to perform a variety of tasks under veterinarians' supervision, influencing job responsibilities and demand. Given the growing pet population and increased veterinary care needs, Delaware's job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.50%, indicating a positive outlook for employment opportunities in this field. With a total of 112 employed veterinary technologists and technicians in the state, cities such as Newark and Bear follow Wilmington's lead, offering salaries of $50,507 and $48,716 respectively. Dover and Smyrna round out the top five cities with salaries of $47,391 and $47,095, respectively, providing a range of options for those entering the profession.
Delaware Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $33,538 (lowest entry-level) to $67,005 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware veterinary technologists and technicians earn 4.04% less than the national median ($-2,021/year difference).
Delaware Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Delaware range from $34,955 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $60,244 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $47,965. The Delaware median is $2,021 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $23.06/hr. Approximately 112 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,980
2025 BLS Actual
$45,464
2026 Current Est.
$47,965
2019–2027 Growth
+58.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,464 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,965 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,603 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 42.2% from $31,980 (2019) to $45,464 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,603 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,623 (58.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $46,969 |
| Smyrna | $47,095 |
| Dover | $47,391 |
| Bear | $48,716 |
| Newark | $50,507 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $51,870 | 101.7 | $51,003 |
| Newark | $50,507 | 101.7 | $49,663 |
| Dover | $47,391 | 97.507 | $48,603 |
| Bear | $48,716 | 101.7 | $47,902 |
| Smyrna | $47,095 | 101.7 | $46,308 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $34,955 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $47,965 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $60,244 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $51,870 |
| 2 | Newark | $50,507 |
| 3 | Bear | $48,716 |
| 4 | Dover | $47,391 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $47,095 |
| 6 | Middletown | $46,969 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Delaware cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.
Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Delaware?
How does Delaware veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Delaware?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinary technologist and technician compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinary technologists and technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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