Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Springfield, IL: $49,311 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Springfield, IL earns a median $49,311/year (โ‰ˆ $23.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $53,168 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Illinois state average.

$49,311
Median Annual Salary
$23.71/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$40,164
Entry Level (P10)
$64,608
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data ยท View source

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

Achieving the status of a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS), particularly in emergency and critical care or anesthesia, can significantly enhance earning potential in Springfield, IL. In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Springfield is projected to reach a median of $49,311, slightly below the national median of $49,986. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $40,164 at the 10th percentile to $64,608 at the 90th percentile, providing opportunities for those looking to advance their careers through specialized credentials. This information is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicating a growing job market for trained technicians who possess the VTS credential.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$40,164$19.32
Lower Range (P25)$42,495$20.42
Median (P50)(typical)$49,311$23.71
Upper Range (P75)$56,801$27.31
Top Earners (P90)$64,608$31.06

Median Salary Position

$40,164$64,608
City Median: $49,311
National: $49,986
P10โ€“P90 Range

1.35% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Springfield. The median salary is $49,311, compared to the national median of $49,986.$36.1K$44.1K$52.0K$59.9K$67.8K$40.2K10th Pctl$42.5K25th Pctl$49.3KMedian$56.8K75th Pctl$64.6K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Springfield, IL, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,444 (2026 est.). At $49,311, the local median is 1.35% below the national median of $49,986.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$948
per week
$4,109
per month
$49,308
per year

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

How Springfield Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Springfield median: $49,311/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySpringfield Pays
Illinois Average$49,410-0.20% less
National Average$49,986-1.35% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Springfield ($49,311) with Illinois average ($49,410) and the US national median ($49,986).Springfield$49,311Illinois Avg$49,410-0.20%US National$49,986-1.35%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Springfield, IL earn a median of $49,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.35% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.20% below the Illinois state average of $49,410.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$49,311
Nominal Salary
92.745
CoL Index
$53,168
Adjusted Salary

Springfield has a cost of living 7.25% 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 $49,311. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 92.745, the purchasing-power equivalent is $53,168, a gain of $3,857.$41.9K$46.7K$51.5K$56.3K$61.1K$49,311NominalSalary$53,168CoL Adjusted(CoL: 92.745)โ–ฒ 7.82%US Median $50.0K

Springfield, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.745 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $49,311 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,168 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 7.82% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$32,140

2025 BLS Actual

$46,740

2026 Current Est.

$49,311

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+61.9%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Springfield (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 Springfield. Baseline $32,140 in 2025, projected to $52,023 by 2027.$28.2K$35.1K$42.1K$49.0K$56.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$32.1K$35.6K$37.9K$37.7K$36.9K$44.5K$46.7K$49.3K$52.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$32,140Actual
2020$35,640Actual
2021$37,850Actual
2022$37,740Actual
2023$36,900Actual
2024$44,470Actual
2025$46,740Actual
2026(current)$49,311Estimated
2027$52,023Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 45.4% from $32,140 (2019) to $46,740 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,023 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $19,883 (61.86%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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)$40,164 โ€“ $42,495
3-5 years (Mid Career)$42,495 โ€“ $49,311
5+ years (Experienced)$49,311 โ€“ $56,801
10+ years (Top Earner)$56,801 โ€“ $64,608

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 Springfield

In Springfield, the veterinary technologist and technician pay shows a notable correlation with local employment opportunities and cost of living, which stands below the national average at 92.745. With approximately 60 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in the area, the demand for skilled professionals is expected to increase as facilities continue to seek qualified staff for both general practices and specialty hospitals. Higher salaries are typically found within specialty referral hospitals and corporate chain hospitals, such as VCA and BluePearl, which offer differentials for VTS-trained technicians. Various factors contribute to the disparity in pay, including the level of specialization, the corporate pay structure, and the ability to work in high-demand environments like 24-hour emergency hospitals. For those in Springfield aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing VTS credentials, targeting specialty facilities, and seeking roles that offer shift differentials can be effective strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Springfield is $49,311/year ($23.71/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $40,164 at entry level (10th percentile) to $64,608 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Springfield at 1.4% below 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 Springfield, IL a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Springfield veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 1.4% below the national average and 0.2% below the Illinois state average. The metro area employs approximately 60 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 92.745, 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 Springfield?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Springfield is $49,311, and the 90th percentile earns $64,608. 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 Springfield?

After adjusting for Springfield's cost-of-living index of 92.745 (where 100 equals the national average), the $49,311 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $53,168 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 7.8% further in Springfield 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 Springfield?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Springfield earn a median hourly rate of $23.71, which translates to approximately $49,311/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $19.32 for entry-level positions to $31.06 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.

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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 $46,740 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Springfield 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

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (โ€“). 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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