Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Naperville, IL: $50,977 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Naperville, IL earns a median $50,977/year (โ‰ˆ $24.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Naperville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $52,499 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Illinois state average.

$50,977
Median Annual Salary
$24.51/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$36,634
Entry Level (P10)
$71,678
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Naperville, IL โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Naperville, IL veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Naperville is projected to hit a median annual figure of $50,977, slightly surpassing the national median of $49,986. This local figure reflects a salary range that stretches from $36,634 at the tenth percentile to $71,678 at the ninetieth percentile. These numbers are estimates derived from BLS state-level data and incorporate regional cost adjustments, which consider Naperville's cost of living, specifically a cost-of-living index of 97.1. The pay scale for veterinary professionals in Naperville is influenced by major corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which tend to offer competitive wages and structured salary tiers. With approximately 23 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in the area, there is a clear demand for skilled workers in the veterinary field.

About the Naperville Market

Salary estimated from Illinois average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$36,634$17.61
Lower Range (P25)$40,329$19.39
Median (P50)(typical)$50,977$24.51
Upper Range (P75)$61,291$29.47
Top Earners (P90)$71,678$34.46

Median Salary Position

$36,634$71,678
City Median: $50,977
National: $49,986
P10โ€“P90 Range

1.98% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Naperville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Naperville. The median salary is $50,977, compared to the national median of $49,986.$33.0K$43.5K$54.1K$64.7K$75.3K$36.6K10th Pctl$40.3K25th Pctl$51.0KMedian$61.3K75th Pctl$71.7K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Naperville, IL, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,044 (2026 est.). At $50,977, the local median is 1.98% above the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the Naperville metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$980
per week
$4,248
per month
$50,976
per year

At 40 hours/week in Naperville: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Naperville Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Naperville median: $50,977/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryNaperville Pays
Illinois Average$49,444+3.10% more
National Average$49,986+1.98% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Naperville ($50,977) with Illinois average ($49,444) and the US national median ($49,986).Naperville$50,977Illinois Avg$49,444+3.10%US National$49,986+1.98%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Naperville, IL earn a median of $50,977 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.98% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 3.10% above the Illinois state average of $49,444.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$50,977
Nominal Salary
97.1
CoL Index
$52,499
Adjusted Salary

Naperville has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $50,977. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $52,499, a gain of $1,522.$42.5K$47.0K$51.4K$55.9K$60.4K$50,977NominalSalary$52,499CoL Adjusted(CoL: 97.1)โ–ฒ 2.99%US Median $50.0K

Naperville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $50,977 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,499 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 2.99% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$36,020

2025 BLS Actual

$48,319

2026 Current Est.

$50,977

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Naperville (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“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 Naperville. Baseline $36,020 in 2025, projected to $53,780 by 2027.$32.5K$38.7K$44.9K$51.1K$57.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$36.0K$37.0K$37.6K$39.0K$44.6K$39.6K$48.3K$51.0K$53.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$36,020Actual
2020$36,979Actual
2021$37,580Actual
2022$38,998Actual
2023$44,607Actual
2024$39,638Actual
2025$48,319Actual
2026(current)$50,977Estimated
2027$53,780Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Naperville metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $36,020 (2019) to $48,319 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,780 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $17,760 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Naperville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$36,634 โ€“ $40,329
3-5 years (Mid Career)$40,329 โ€“ $50,977
5+ years (Experienced)$50,977 โ€“ $61,291
10+ years (Top Earner)$61,291 โ€“ $71,678

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 Naperville

Employment opportunities for veterinary technologists and technicians in Naperville IL come with diverse salary potential influenced by various factors. The hierarchy in pay is prominent, with corporate chain hospitals generally offering salaries that can exceed those of general practice settings, particularly when considering specialty referral hospitals in areas like emergency care, internal medicine, and oncology. The ongoing workforce shortage has recently driven salaries upwards, enhancing overall pay prospects. For professionals seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing a VTS specialty credential in areas such as anesthesia or emergency and critical care can be a valuable strategy, potentially commanding hourly rates between $30 and $45 or more. To improve their financial position, veterinary technologists and technicians should also consider training in leadership roles or seeking out shift differentials at 24-hour facilities where pay can increase significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Naperville, IL in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Naperville is $50,977/year ($24.51/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $36,634 at entry level (10th percentile) to $71,678 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Naperville at 2.0% above the national median. Full-time veterinary technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Naperville, IL a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Naperville veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 2.0% above the national average and 3.1% above the Illinois state average. The metro area employs approximately 23 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Naperville?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Naperville is $50,977, and the 90th percentile earns $71,678. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Naperville?

After adjusting for Naperville's cost-of-living index of 97.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $50,977 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $52,499 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 3.0% further in Naperville compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for veterinary technologists and technicians seeking strong real wages.

How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Naperville?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Naperville earn a median hourly rate of $24.51, which translates to approximately $50,977/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.61 for entry-level positions to $34.46 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinary technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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

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 $48,319 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Naperville 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Naperville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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