Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Woodridge, IL: $48,564 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Woodridge, IL earns a median $48,564/year (≈ $23.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Woodridge's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $50,014 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Illinois state average.

$48,564
Median Annual Salary
$23.35/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$36,898
Entry Level (P10)
$60,460
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Woodridge, IL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Woodridge, IL veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Woodridge, Illinois, is projected to reach a median annual income of $48,564. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $49,986, highlighting a pay-scale that reflects localized economic conditions and the impact of corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl. Salaries in this field range widely, from $36,898 at the 10th percentile to $60,460 at the 90th percentile, suggesting varying compensation levels based on experience, specialization, and employment setting. With local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, those considering a career in veterinary technology can expect a competitive, though slightly underwhelming, salary picture in comparison to broader national trends.

About the Woodridge Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$36,898$17.73
Lower Range (P25)$39,545$19.01
Median (P50)(typical)$48,564$23.35
Upper Range (P75)$57,084$27.44
Top Earners (P90)$60,460$29.07

Median Salary Position

$36,898$60,460
City Median: $48,564
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

2.84% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woodridge

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Woodridge. The median salary is $48,564, compared to the national median of $49,986.$33.2K$40.8K$48.3K$55.9K$63.5K$36.9K10th Pctl$39.5K25th Pctl$48.6KMedian$57.1K75th Pctl$60.5K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Woodridge, IL, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,562 (2026 est.). At $48,564, the local median is 2.84% 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 Woodridge metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$934
per week
$4,047
per month
$48,562
per year

At 40 hours/week in Woodridge: You'd be above the median

How Woodridge Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Woodridge median: $48,564/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryWoodridge Pays
Illinois Average$49,404-1.70% less
National Average$49,986-2.84% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Woodridge ($48,564) with Illinois average ($49,404) and the US national median ($49,986).Woodridge$48,564Illinois Avg$49,404-1.70%US National$49,986-2.84%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Woodridge, IL earn a median of $48,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $49,404.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$48,564
Nominal Salary
97.1
CoL Index
$50,014
Adjusted Salary

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

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

The nominal salary is $48,564. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $50,014, a gain of $1,450.$41.3K$45.3K$49.4K$53.5K$57.5K$48,564NominalSalary$50,014CoL Adjusted(CoL: 97.1) 2.99%US Median $50.0K

Woodridge, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $48,564 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,014 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$34,315

2025 BLS Actual

$46,032

2026 Current Est.

$48,564

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Woodridge (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 Woodridge. Baseline $34,315 in 2025, projected to $51,235 by 2027.$30.9K$36.9K$42.8K$48.7K$54.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$34.3K$35.2K$35.8K$37.2K$42.5K$38.2K$46.0K$48.6K$51.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$34,315Actual
2020$35,228Actual
2021$35,802Actual
2022$37,152Actual
2023$42,496Actual
2024$38,162Actual
2025$46,032Actual
2026(current)$48,564Estimated
2027$51,235Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woodridge metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $34,315 (2019) to $46,032 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,235 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,920 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodridge 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$36,898$39,545
3-5 years (Mid Career)$39,545$48,564
5+ years (Experienced)$48,564$57,084
10+ years (Top Earner)$57,084$60,460

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 Woodridge

To fully appreciate the context behind veterinary technologist and technician pay in Woodridge, it’s essential to consider the job market dynamics and cost of living. Currently, only nine veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in this area, indicating a tight job market that may influence salary competitiveness. Given Woodridge's cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is below the national average, the purchasing power of these salaries may be less affected by inflation. Among local employers, corporate chains typically offer the most substantial wages, especially for specialized roles within urgent care or 24-hour facilities. Those with VTS credentials, particularly in fields like emergency care or anesthesia, can expect higher pay due to their specialized skills. To maximize earning potential in this market, aspiring veterinary technologists should focus on gaining relevant certifications such as the VTS specialty credential and consider pursuing positions in specialty or emergency practices, where pay disparities often favor experienced staff significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Woodridge is $48,564/year ($23.35/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $36,898 at entry level (10th percentile) to $60,460 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Woodridge at 2.8% 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 Woodridge, IL a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Woodridge veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 2.8% below the national average and 1.7% below 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 Woodridge?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Woodridge is $48,564, and the 90th percentile earns $60,460. 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 Woodridge?

After adjusting for Woodridge's cost-of-living index of 97.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $48,564 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $50,014 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 3.0% further in Woodridge 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 Woodridge?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Woodridge earn a median hourly rate of $23.35, which translates to approximately $48,564/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.73 for entry-level positions to $29.07 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 $46,032 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Woodridge 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 (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Woodridge 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. · View source data at BLS.gov

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