Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Kansas: $48,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $48,812/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $53,699 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Manhattan ($51,610), Lawrence ($46,700), Kansas City ($46,554).
In 2026, the average median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in Kansas is projected to be $48,812, which is 2.3% lower than the national median of $49,986. The salary varies significantly across the state, with the highest paying city being Manhattan at $54,449, while the lowest, Emporia, offers $41,947—a difference of $12,502. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of pet ownership in different regions. Kansas requires state licensing for veterinary technicians, which ensures they are certified to perform necessary procedures under the supervision of licensed veterinarians. The demand for these professionals is driven by an increasing pet population and a growing focus on animal health and welfare. The projected growth rate for this field stands at 5.50%, indicating a steady demand for skilled technicians over the coming years. The top five cities for employment opportunities and salaries in Kansas include Manhattan ($54,449), Lawrence ($49,269), Kansas City ($49,114), Topeka ($47,886), and Wichita ($47,095). This variety in salary and job opportunities reflects the broader economic and demographic factors unique to each city, presenting valuable insights for prospective veterinary technologists and technicians in the state.
Kansas Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $31,914 (lowest entry-level) to $71,002 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas veterinary technologists and technicians earn 2.35% less than the national median ($-1,174/year difference).
Kansas Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Kansas range from $38,410 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $60,943 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,812. The Kansas median is $1,174 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $23.47/hr. Approximately 731 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,162
2025 BLS Actual
$46,267
2026 Current Est.
$48,812
2019–2027 Growth
+60.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,906 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,261 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,123 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,287 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,267 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,496 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 43.9% from $32,162 (2019) to $46,267 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,334 (60.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $41,947 |
| Gardner | $42,135 |
| Liberal | $42,377 |
| Hays | $42,542 |
| Prairie Village | $42,667 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | $54,449 | 90.162 | $60,390 |
| Lawrence | $49,269 | 90.243 | $54,596 |
| Kansas City | $49,114 | 90.9 | $54,031 |
| Topeka | $47,886 | 88.82 | $53,914 |
| Wichita | $47,095 | 88.946 | $52,948 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,410 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,812 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $60,943 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manhattan | $54,449 |
| 2 | Lawrence | $49,269 |
| 3 | Kansas City | $49,114 |
| 4 | Topeka | $47,886 |
| 5 | Wichita | $47,095 |
| 6 | Overland Park | $46,179 |
| 7 | Olathe | $45,592 |
| 8 | Lenexa | $45,481 |
| 9 | Garden City | $45,031 |
| 10 | Derby | $44,805 |
| 11 | Hutchinson | $44,449 |
| 12 | Leavenworth | $44,436 |
| 13 | Shawnee | $44,293 |
| 14 | Salina | $43,966 |
| 15 | Leawood | $43,722 |
| 16 | Dodge City | $42,986 |
| 17 | Junction City | $42,849 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $42,667 |
| 19 | Hays | $42,542 |
| 20 | Liberal | $42,377 |
| 21 | Gardner | $42,135 |
| 22 | Emporia | $41,947 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Kansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.
Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Kansas?
How does Kansas veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Kansas?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinary technologist and technician compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinary technologists and technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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