Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Sioux City, IA: $43,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Sioux City, IA earns a median $43,392/year (≈ $20.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Sioux City's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $50,191 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $43,392, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Sioux City, IA, is positioned notably lower than the national average of $49,986 for 2026. The salary range extends from $38,613 at the 10th percentile to $50,018 for those in the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse earning potential for professionals in the field. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, reflects the dynamics of the local job market and the varying roles within it. In Sioux City, where corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl influence pay scales, veterinary technicians can expect competitive but slightly restrained compensation that may not fully align with the national trends, emphasizing the importance of local factors in salary determination.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,613 | $18.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,803 | $18.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,392 | $20.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,332 | $23.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,018 | $24.04 |
Median Salary Position
13.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux City
In Sioux City, IA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,405 (2026 est.). At $43,392, the local median is 13.19% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux City Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Sioux City median: $43,392/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $47,684 | -9.00% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -13.19% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Sioux City, IA earn a median of $43,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.19% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 9.00% below the Iowa state average of $47,684.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux City has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 86.454 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $43,392 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,191 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,661
2025 BLS Actual
$41,130
2026 Current Est.
$43,392
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,661 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,779 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux City metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $30,661 (2019) to $41,130 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,779 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,118 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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) | $38,613 – $38,803 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,803 – $43,392 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,392 – $49,332 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,332 – $50,018 |
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 Sioux City
Employment opportunities for veterinary technologists and technicians in Sioux City total around 40, indicating a relatively modest job market size compared to larger urban centers. With a cost-of-living index of 86.454, professionals in the area enjoy a level of purchasing power that can offset the lower salaries in comparison to the national average. In this region, corporate chain hospitals often offer more attractive pay structures versus general practice clinics, with specialty hospitals providing some of the highest compensation levels—especially for those with VTS specialty credentials in areas like emergency and critical care. Factors such as corporate pay scale tiers, specialized skills, and experience level contribute to the stark contrast in salaries from entry-level to seasoned professionals. To maximize potential earnings, pursuing specialty certifications and considering shifts at 24-hour emergency hospitals can play a significant role in advancing one's career and financial standing in Sioux City.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Sioux City?
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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 $41,130 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Sioux City 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, 6-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