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).

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
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 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)
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,144 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated 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
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $60,800 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in District of Columbia cities.
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?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in District of Columbia?
How does District of Columbia veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in District of Columbia?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in District of Columbia?
Which District of Columbia 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 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