Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Orland Park, IL: $50,117 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Orland Park, IL earns a median $50,117/year (โ‰ˆ $24.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Orland Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $51,614 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Illinois state average.

$50,117
Median Annual Salary
$24.10/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$37,891
Entry Level (P10)
$65,582
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

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

In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Orland Park, Illinois, reaches a median annual income of $50,117, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national average of $49,986. With salaries ranging from $37,891 at the 10th percentile to as high as $65,582 at the 90th percentile, this local market showcases the potential for significant earnings, particularly for those pursuing advanced specialization through the VTS credential pathway in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) or anesthesia. These roles typically command a higher salary and represent the best earning possibilities within the profession. As salary estimates derived from 2025 BLS data are adjusted for regional prices, they provide a realistic context for current market compensation in Orland Park, IL, emphasizing the importance of local training and experience in climbing the pay scale.

About the Orland Park Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$37,891$18.22
Lower Range (P25)$40,871$19.65
Median (P50)(typical)$50,117$24.10
Upper Range (P75)$60,454$29.07
Top Earners (P90)$65,582$31.53

Median Salary Position

$37,891$65,582
City Median: $50,117
National: $49,986
P10โ€“P90 Range

0.26% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orland Park

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Orland Park. The median salary is $50,117, compared to the national median of $49,986.$34.1K$42.8K$51.5K$60.2K$68.9K$37.9K10th Pctl$40.9K25th Pctl$50.1KMedian$60.5K75th Pctl$65.6K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Orland Park, IL, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,691 (2026 est.). At $50,117, the local median is 0.26% 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 Orland Park metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$964
per week
$4,177
per month
$50,120
per year

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

How Orland Park Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Orland Park median: $50,117/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryOrland Park Pays
Illinois Average$49,425+1.40% more
National Average$49,986+0.26% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Orland Park ($50,117) with Illinois average ($49,425) and the US national median ($49,986).Orland Park$50,117Illinois Avg$49,425+1.40%US National$49,986+0.26%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Orland Park, IL earn a median of $50,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.26% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.40% above the Illinois state average of $49,425.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$50,117
Nominal Salary
97.1
CoL Index
$51,614
Adjusted Salary

Orland Park 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 $50,117. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $51,614, a gain of $1,497.$42.5K$46.7K$50.9K$55.1K$59.4K$50,117NominalSalary$51,614CoL Adjusted(CoL: 97.1)โ–ฒ 2.99%US Median $50.0K

Orland Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $50,117 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,614 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 2.99% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$35,412

2025 BLS Actual

$47,504

2026 Current Est.

$50,117

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Orland Park (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 Orland Park. Baseline $35,412 in 2025, projected to $52,873 by 2027.$31.9K$38.0K$44.1K$50.3K$56.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.4K$36.4K$36.9K$38.3K$43.9K$39.4K$47.5K$50.1K$52.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$35,412Actual
2020$36,355Actual
2021$36,946Actual
2022$38,340Actual
2023$43,854Actual
2024$39,382Actual
2025$47,504Actual
2026(current)$50,117Estimated
2027$52,873Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orland Park metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $35,412 (2019) to $47,504 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,873 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $17,461 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orland Park 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)$37,891 โ€“ $40,871
3-5 years (Mid Career)$40,871 โ€“ $50,117
5+ years (Experienced)$50,117 โ€“ $60,454
10+ years (Top Earner)$60,454 โ€“ $65,582

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 Orland Park

With only nine veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Orland Park, the job market is relatively small but poised for growth, projecting an annual increase of 5.50% over the next five years. The cost of living in Orland Park is slightly below the national average, with an index of 97.1, which may enhance overall purchasing power for residents. Employers within the area range from general practice veterinary clinics to corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, each offering varying pay scales. Specialty referral hospitals tend to provide the highest salaries, especially for roles requiring the VTS credential. Factors influencing compensation include specialty skills, employer type, and the demand for veterinary services, particularly in 24-hour emergency environments where shift differentials can boost earnings. For those seeking to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in Orland Park, pursuing advanced certifications and considering employment at specialty or corporate facilities can be advantageous strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Orland Park is $50,117/year ($24.10/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $37,891 at entry level (10th percentile) to $65,582 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Orland Park at 0.3% 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 Orland Park, IL a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Orland Park veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 0.3% above the national average and 1.4% above the Illinois state average. The metro area employs approximately 9 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 Orland Park?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Orland Park is $50,117, and the 90th percentile earns $65,582. 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 Orland Park?

After adjusting for Orland Park's cost-of-living index of 97.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $50,117 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $51,614 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 3.0% further in Orland Park 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 Orland Park?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Orland Park earn a median hourly rate of $24.10, which translates to approximately $50,117/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $18.22 for entry-level positions to $31.53 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 $47,504 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Orland Park 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 Orland Park 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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