Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Wilmington, DE: $51,870 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Wilmington, DE earns a median $51,870/year (≈ $24.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $51,003 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilmington, Delaware, the projected median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 is $51,870, positioning it favorably above the national median of $49,986. Local salaries range from $38,626 at the 10th percentile to $67,005 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse pay scale influenced by factors such as experience, specialization, and the corporate pay structures of major employers like VCA and BluePearl. These figures, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional pricing, highlight a competitive market for veterinary technologist and technician pay in Wilmington DE, where demand for skilled professionals is evident in both general practice and specialty environments.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,626 | $18.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,858 | $20.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,870 | $24.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,205 | $29.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,005 | $32.21 |
Median Salary Position
3.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, DE, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,379 (2026 est.). At $51,870, the local median is 3.77% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $51,870/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $50,853 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +3.77% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $51,870 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.77% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.00% above the Delaware state average of $50,853.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,870 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,003 — a 1.67% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$36,651
2025 BLS Actual
$49,166
2026 Current Est.
$51,870
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,651 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,627 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,239 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,681 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,389 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,961 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,166 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,870 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,723 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $36,651 (2019) to $49,166 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,723 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,072 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $38,626 – $41,858 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,858 – $51,870 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,870 – $62,205 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,205 – $67,005 |
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 Wilmington
The job market in Wilmington currently employs 10 veterinary technologists and technicians, indicating a niche but stable sector within the local economy. The cost-of-living index of 101.7 suggests that living expenses are slightly higher than the national average, emphasizing the need for competitive salaries to maintain purchasing power. Among employers, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl typically offer the highest wages, with specialty hospitals providing significant pay differentials for those with VTS specialty credentials in areas like emergency care or anesthesia. Variations in compensation often relate to the type of practice, with emergency and specialty settings commanding a premium due to their staffing demands and required expertise. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing specialty certification and targeting employment in corporate chains or specialty hospitals could yield the best financial outcomes in Wilmington’s veterinary landscape.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Wilmington, DE in 2026?
Is Wilmington, DE a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Wilmington?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Wilmington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 $49,166 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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