Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $47,106 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $47,106/year (≈ $22.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $52,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the anticipated remuneration for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 is set at a median annual salary of $47,106, slightly trailing the national median of $49,986. The salary range indicates entry-level positions starting at $39,046, while experienced professionals may earn up to $50,714. This compensation data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights a growing field where those pursuing specialties like Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) or anesthesia can significantly bolster their earning potential. Given that Cedar Rapids has a solid job market for this role, obtaining advanced credentials provides a pathway to higher salaries and more favorable job opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,046 | $18.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,143 | $19.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,106 | $22.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,376 | $24.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,714 | $24.38 |
Median Salary Position
5.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,668 (2026 est.). At $47,106, the local median is 5.76% below the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be above the median
How Cedar Rapids Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $47,106/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $47,678 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -5.76% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $47,106 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.76% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.20% below the Iowa state average of $47,678.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $47,106 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,950 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,220
2025 BLS Actual
$44,650
2026 Current Est.
$47,106
2019–2027 Growth
+41.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,106 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,697 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 26.8% from $35,220 (2019) to $44,650 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,697 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,477 (41.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,046 – $40,143 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,143 – $47,106 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,106 – $50,376 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,376 – $50,714 |
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 Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids employs approximately 110 veterinary technologists and technicians, reflecting a robust local demand in a market currently characterized by its cost of living index of 88.963, which sits below the national average. This favorable living cost allows for increased take-home pay, making the income in this sector more competitive despite being slightly lower than national averages. The highest-paying employers in Cedar Rapids often include specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which offer differentiated pay scales based on specialization and experience. The disparity between low and high pay rates can be attributed to factors such as the level of VTS certification, shift differentials at 24-hour emergency facilities, and mentoring roles. To maximize pay in Cedar Rapids, aspiring veterinary technologists and technicians should seek out continuing education opportunities and consider specialized roles that command higher salaries within the local job market.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $44,650 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Cedar Rapids 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
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