Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in District of Columbia: $60,800 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $60,800/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,966 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($57,630).

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in District of Columbia - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
District of Columbia veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026)
$60,800
Avg Median Salary
$29.23
Avg Hourly Rate
2,150
Metro Employed
1
Cities

In the District of Columbia, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect an average median salary of $60,800 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $49,986, representing a 21.6% increase. Both the highest and lowest paying city in the district is Washington, which indicates that salary variation within the D.C. metro area is minimal. This consistency may be attributed to the centralized nature of employment opportunities in the capital and the demand for skilled professionals in urban veterinary practices. The District of Columbia has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can enhance the responsibilities and duties of veterinary technicians, which often leads to higher salaries in metropolitan areas. Factors driving demand include a high population density, a growing pet ownership trend, and the continuous need for veterinary services. The job market shows a positive outlook with a projected annual growth rate of 5.50%, reflecting ongoing opportunities for career advancement in the field. In summary, while salary levels for veterinary technologists and technicians in D.C. are at the upper end nationally, the marketplace remains strong, presenting a favorable environment for those entering the profession.

District of Columbia Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$46,715
avg across 1 cities
Median
$60,800
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$83,830
avg across 1 cities

Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $46,715 (lowest entry-level) to $83,830 (highest top earner)

District of Columbia vs National Average

District of Columbia
$60,800
National Median
$49,986

District of Columbia veterinary technologists and technicians earn 21.63% more than the national median (+$10,814/year difference).

District of Columbia Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing District of Columbia veterinary technologist and technician salary percentiles: 10th percentile $46,715, 25th $49,859, Median $60,800, 75th $72,552, 90th $83,830. US national median is $49,986.$23.5K$46.9K$70.4K$93.9K$46.7K10thEntry Level$49.9K25thEarly Career$60.8KMedianMid Career$72.6K75thExperienced$83.8K90thTop EarnerUS Median $50.0K

Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in District of Columbia range from $46,715 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,830 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,800. The District of Columbia median is $10,814 above the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $29.23/hr. Approximately 2,150 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 1 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$43,730

2025 BLS Actual

$57,630

2026 Current Est.

$60,800

2019–2027 Growth

+46.7%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in District of Columbia (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 District of Columbia. Baseline $43,730 in 2025, projected to $64,144 by 2027.$39.6K$46.8K$53.9K$61.1K$68.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$43.7K$44.4K$46.3K$49.2K$50.4K$57.2K$57.6K$60.8K$64.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$43,730Actual
2020$44,420Actual
2021$46,300Actual
2022$49,180Actual
2023$50,400Actual
2024$57,180Actual
2025$57,630Actual
2026(current)$60,800Estimated
2027$64,144Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 31.8% from $43,730 (2019) to $57,630 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,144 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,414 (46.68%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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.

Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia

#1
Washington
2,150 employed · $29.23/hr
$60,800

Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$46,715
Mid Career (3-7 years)$60,800
Experienced (7+ years)$83,830

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 1 Cities in District of Columbia

#CityMedian Salary
1Washington$60,800

More District of Columbia Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia in 2026?

The average median veterinary technologist and technician salary in District of Columbia is $60,800/year across 1 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $60,800 in Washington to $60,800 in Washington. This makes District of Columbia one of the higher-paying states, at 21.63% above the national median of $49,986. The state employs approximately 2,150 veterinary technologists and technicians.

What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in District of Columbia?

Washington offers the highest veterinary technologist and technician salary in District of Columbia at $60,800/year ($29.23/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Washington ($60,800). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for veterinary technology services, and competition among employers for licensed veterinary technologists and technicians.

How does District of Columbia veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?

District of Columbia's average veterinary technologist and technician salary of $60,800 is 21.63% above the national median of $49,986 in 2026. The state employs approximately 2,150 veterinary technologists and technicians across 1 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in District of Columbia?

Entry-level veterinary technologists and technicians (10th percentile) in District of Columbia earn approximately $46,715/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $46,715 in lower-paying areas to $46,715 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia employs approximately 2,150 veterinary technologists and technicians across 1 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the veterinary technology field expands and the population ages.

Which District of Columbia city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?

When adjusted for cost of living, Washington offers the highest purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians in District of Columbia, with an adjusted salary of $55,839 (nominal: $60,800, CoL index: 108.884). This means your dollar goes 8% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.
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

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 District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 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

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