Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Dover, DE: $47,391 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Dover, DE earns a median $47,391/year (≈ $22.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $48,603 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% below the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Dover, Delaware averages $47,391 annually, reflecting the area's positioning within the veterinary healthcare market. The pay scale for this profession ranges from $33,538 at the 10th percentile to as high as $59,439 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse salary landscape in the region. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), showcase the competitive nature of the industry, particularly as the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise. Employers such as VCA and BluePearl, prominent corporate chains, set the pay scale, impacting the overall compensation landscape for veterinary technologists and technicians in Dover DE.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,538 | $16.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,299 | $18.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,391 | $22.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,348 | $27.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,439 | $28.58 |
Median Salary Position
5.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,901 (2026 est.). At $47,391, the local median is 5.19% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be above the median
How Dover Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Dover median: $47,391/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $50,848 | -6.80% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -5.19% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Dover, DE earn a median of $47,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.19% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 6.80% below the Delaware state average of $50,848.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $47,391 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,603 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,980
2025 BLS Actual
$44,920
2026 Current Est.
$47,391
2019–2027 Growth
+56.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Dover (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 | $42,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,391 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,997 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 40.5% from $31,980 (2019) to $44,920 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,017 (56.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $33,538 – $39,299 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,299 – $47,391 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,391 – $56,348 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,348 – $59,439 |
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 Dover
With around 80 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Dover, the local job market exhibits solid demand despite a cost-of-living index of 97.507, suggesting that salaries may not fully accommodate expenses as compared to the national average. Corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl typically offer higher salaries compared to general practice clinics, while specialty referral hospitals present the highest pay, particularly for those holding Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials in areas like anesthesia or emergency care. The gap in earnings stems mainly from the varying responsibilities and qualifications associated with different settings and specialties. For those seeking to maximize veterinary technologist and technician pay in Dover DE, pursuit of VTS certification or additional training in critical areas can significantly enhance earning potential, positioning candidates for higher-tier roles amidst a growing workforce shortage in this essential field.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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 $44,920 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Dover 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